title: Immune System Modulators with Antidepressant Effects: Evidence from Animal Models.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Major depressive disorder (MDD) is associated with high mortality and morbidity rates, and currently, approximately 340 million people worldwide suffer from depression at some point in life. In view of the growing socio-economic and clinical impact, several studies have focused on the etiopathology of MDD, suggesting that not only the monoaminergic system but also other brain mechanisms may be involved in the pathophysiology of MDD. Recent studies have shown a link between inflammation and MDD and have also demonstrated that antidepressants and antiinflammatory drugs can act to reduce inflammation, thereby improving depressive symptoms. Animal models of depression are indispensable for studying the pathophysiology of this disorder and new treatments for it. Further, studies have shown that rodent models of depression are also associated with elevated levels of inflammation in the periphery and brain.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This review will highlight the role of immune inflammation in MDD and the significance of immune system modulators with antidepressant effects in the treatment of MDD, based on studies using animal models of depression.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Neurosciences, Graduate Program in Health Sciences, Health Sciences Unit, University of Southern Santa Catarina, Criciúma, SC, Brazil.
authors.forename: Helena M
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Abelaira
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Neurosciences, Graduate Program in Health Sciences, Health Sciences Unit, University of Southern Santa Catarina, Criciúma, SC, Brazil.
authors.forename: Amanda L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Maciel
authors.affiliation: Translational Psychiatry Program, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, McGovern Medical School, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth), Houston, TX, United States.
authors.forename: Joao
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Quevedo
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Neurosciences, University of Southern Santa Catarina, Criciúma, SC - 88806-000, Brazil.
authors.forename: Gislaine Z
authors.initials: GZ
authors.lastname: Reus
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007155:Immunologic Factors / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D007155:Immunologic Factors
keywords: Antidepressants; animal model of depression; anti-inflammatory drugs; immune system; major depressive disorder