New role of sertraline against Toxoplasma gondii‐induced depression‐like behaviours in mice. (20th October 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Lan, Hui‐Wen; Lu, Yu‐Nan; Zhao, Xu‐Dong; Jin, Guang‐Nan; Lu, Jing‐Mei; Jin, Cheng‐Hua; Ma, Juan; Jin, Xuejun; Xu, Xiang; Piao, Lian‐Xun
• Is Part Of: Parasite immunology. Volume 43:Number 12(2021)
• Page Start: n/a
• Page End: n/a
• Publication Date: 2021-10-20
• Subjects: depression -- microglia -- neuroinflammation -- sertraline -- Toxoplasma gondii; Veterinary parasitology -- Immunological aspects -- Periodicals; Host-parasite relationships -- Immunological aspects -- Periodicals; 571.96
• DOI: 10.1111/pim.12893
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0141-9838

Abstract

Abstract: Toxoplasma gondii ( T . gondii ) is a neurotropic protozoan parasite, which can cause mental and behavioural disorders. The present study aimed to elucidate the effects and underlying molecular mechanisms of sertraline (SERT) on T . gondii ‐induced depression‐like behaviours. In the present study, a mouse model and a microglial cell line (BV2 cells) model were established by infecting with the T . gondii RH strain. In in vivo and in vitro experiments, the underlying molecular mechanisms of SERT in inhibiting depression‐like behaviours and cellular perturbations caused by T . gondii infection were investigated in the mouse brain and BV2 cells. The administration of SERT significantly ameliorated depression‐like behaviours in T . gondii ‐infected mice. Furthermore, SERT inhibited T . gondii proliferation. Treatment with SERT significantly inhibited the activation of microglia and decreased levels of pro‐inflammatory cytokines such as tumour necrosis factor‐alpha, and interferon‐gamma, by down‐regulating tumour necrosis factor receptor 1/nuclear factor‐kappa B signalling pathway, thereby ameliorating the depression‐like behaviours induced by T . gondii infection. Our study provides insight into the underlying molecular mechanisms of the newly discovered role of SERT against T . gondii ‐induced depression‐like behaviours.