Published online Mar 19, 2022. doi: 10.5498/wjp.v12.i3.379
Peer-review started: March 29, 2021
First decision: August 19, 2021
Revised: August 22, 2021
Accepted: January 22, 2022
Article in press: January 22, 2022
Published online: March 19, 2022
Processing time: 348 Days and 1.7 Hours
Mood disorders are the most common mental disorders, affecting approximately 350 million people globally. Recent studies have shown that neuroimmune interaction regulates mood disorders. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and its precursor pro-BDNF, are involved in the neuroimmune crosstalk during the development of mood disorders. BDNF is implicated in the pathophysiology of psychiatric and neurological disorders especially in antidepressant pharmacotherapy. In this review, we describe the functions of BDNF/pro-BDNF signaling in the central nervous system in the context of mood disorders. In addition, we summarize the developments for BDNF and pro-BDNF functions in mood disorders. This review aims to provide new insights into the impact of neuroimmune interaction on mood disorders and reveal a new basis for further development of diagnostic targets and mood disorders.
Core Tip: The neuroimmune crosstalk plays a crucial role in the regulation of mood disorders. Recent studies have shown that the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and its precursor pro-BDNF are cardinal regulators in the neuroimmune axis. However, the roles and potential mechanisms of BDNF/pro-BDNF signaling in the neuroimmune crosstalk in the context of mood disorders remain unexplored. In this review, we summarize recent studies on the role of BDNF/TrkB signaling and pro-BDNF/p75NTR signaling in the neuroimmune axis and how they influence the development of mood disorders.