Th17 Cells in Depression: Are They Crucial for the Antidepressant Effect of Ketamine?
Frontiers in Pharmacology April 15, 2021 Meiying Cui, Wanlin Dai, Jing Kong et al. 43 citations
Major depressive disorder involves inflammation and immune processes, including alterations in cytokine levels and immune cell function. Th17 cells, a proinflammatory T cell subset, accumulate and disrupt the Th17/Treg balance, contributing to depression and depressive-like behaviors in animal models. Ketamine is an effective rapid-acting antidepressant, but its mechanisms are not fully understood. This review suggests that ketamine's antidepressant effects may involve immune modulation of Th17 cells and the Th17/Treg balance. Exploring these mechanisms could enhance ketamine's benefits and reduce side effects.