Research progress on the correlation between transforming growth factor-β level and depression symptoms.

Abstract

Transforming growth factor (TGF)-β is a group of cytokines with anti-inflammatory effects in the TGF family, which participates in the development process of stress and depression-related mechanisms, and plays a role in the regulation of inflammatory response in depression and the recovery of various cytokine imbalances. The core symptom group of depression is associated with TGF-β level, and the psychological symptom group of depression is related to TGF-β gene polymorphism. Various antidepressants may up-regulate TGF-β level through the complex interaction between neurotransmitters and inflammatory factors, inhibiting inflammatory response and regulating cytokine imbalance to improve depressive symptoms. Studies have shown that recombinant TGF-β1 protein has beneficial effects in mouse depression models and the nasal sprays have unique advantages of fast acting, indicating TGF-β1 might be a potential therapeutic target for depression. This article reviews the research progress on dynamic changes of TGF-β level before and after depression treatment and the application of TGF-β level as an indicator for the improvement of depressive symptoms, to provide new ideas for the development of new antidepressants and the evaluation method of the efficacy of depression treatment.