Gibb Julie, Audet Marie-Claude, Hayley Shawn, Anisman Hymie
Institute of Neurosciences, Carleton University, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
Front Biosci (Schol Ed). 2009 Jun 1;1(1):275-95. doi: 10.2741/S26.
Activation of the inflammatory immune system has been associated with the development of psychological disorders such as major depressive disorder (MDD). In this regard, the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines (signaling molecules of the immune system) provokes a constellation of neurochemical and behavioral alterations, reminiscent of the effects of traditional stressors, which if sustained could influence psychological functioning. In animal models, exogenously administered cytokines, as well as bacterial endotoxins and viral analogues, induce a variety of behavioral disturbances collectively known as sickness behavior. Although it is difficult to differentiate the general malaise of sickness engendered by cytokines from the depressogenic effects, clinical studies have revealed increased levels of circulating cytokines and acute phase proteins in patients diagnosed with MDD. Furthermore, the incidence of MDD is increased in patients suffering from chronic inflammatory conditions, and immunotherapy used to treat chronic illnesses such as Hepatitis C was related to high levels of depression that could be attenuated by antidepressant treatment. Together, these findings indicate that activation of the inflammatory immune system may favor the evolution of psychological disturbances.
炎症免疫系统的激活与诸如重度抑郁症（MDD）等心理障碍的发展有关。在这方面，促炎细胞因子（免疫系统的信号分子）的释放引发了一系列神经化学和行为改变，这让人联想到传统应激源的影响，如果这种影响持续下去，可能会影响心理功能。在动物模型中，外源性给予的细胞因子以及细菌内毒素和病毒类似物会诱发各种行为障碍，统称为疾病行为。虽然很难区分细胞因子引起的疾病的一般不适与致抑郁作用，但临床研究表明，被诊断为MDD的患者循环细胞因子和急性期蛋白水平升高。此外，患有慢性炎症的患者中MDD的发病率增加，用于治疗丙型肝炎等慢性疾病的免疫疗法与高水平的抑郁症有关，而抗抑郁治疗可以减轻这种抑郁症。总之，这些发现表明炎症免疫系统的激活可能有利于心理障碍的发展。
