Cited by 119Tryptophan and brain disordersStress Responses and CortisolNeuroinflammation and Neurodegeneration Mechanisms

Toll-like receptor 4: innate immune regulator of neuroimmune and neuroendocrine interactions in stress and major depressive disorder

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Liu, JiaJun, Buisman-Pijlman, Femke, Hutchinson, Mark R.·2014·Frontiers in Neuroscience

Abstract

Major depressive disorder (MDD) poses one of the highest disease burdens worldwide. Yet, current treatments targeting serotonergic and noradrenaline reuptake systems are insufficient to provide long-term relief from depressive symptoms in most patients, indicating the need for new treatment targets. Having the ability to influence behavior similar to depressive symptoms, as well as communicate with neuronal and neuroendocrine systems, the innate immune system is a strong candidate for MDD treatments. Given the complex nature of immune signaling, the main question becomes: What is the role of the innate immune system in MDD? The current review presents evidence that toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), via driving both peripheral and central immune responses, can interact with serotonergic neurotransmission and cause neuroendocrine disturbances, thus integrating with widely observed hallmarks of MDD. Additionally, through describing the multi-directional communication between immune, neural and endocrine systems in stress, TLR4-related mechanisms can mediate stress-induced adaptations, which are necessary for the development of MDD. Therefore, apart from exogenous pathogenic mechanisms, TLR4 is involved in immune changes as a result of endogenous stress signals, playing an integral part in the pathophysiology, and could be a potential target for pharmacological treatments to improve current interventions for MDD.

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Crossref · 10.3389/fnins.2014.00309

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  1. Du Q. Min S. Chen L.-Y. Y. Ma Y.-D. D. Guo X.-L. L. Wang Z. (2012). Major stress hormones suppress the response of macrophages through down-regulation of TLR2 and TLR4. J. Surg. Res. 173, 354– 361 10.1016/j.jss.2010.10.016 21109260 · DOI
  2. Pace T. Miller A. (2009). Cytokines and glucocorticoid receptor signaling. Relevance to major depression. Ann. N.Y. Acad. Sci. 1179, 86– 105 10.1111/j.1749-6632.2009.04984.x 19906234 PMC3399249 · DOI · Paper page

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Authors
Liu, J., Buisman-Pijlman, F., & Hutchinson, M. R.
Affiliations
The University of Adelaide (AU)
Corresponding author
Hutchinson, Mark R.
Venue
Frontiers in Neuroscience
Published
2014-09-30
Volume
8
Pages
309-309
ISSN
1662-453X (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W2033317027
Cited by
119
References
170
Citations by year
2026: 9 · 2025: 5 · 2024: 9 · 2023: 14 · 2022: 10 · 2021: 13 · 2020: 12 · 2019: 7 · 2018: 7 · 2017: 10 · 2016: 13 · 2015: 7 · 2014: 3
FWCI
3.38
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
cc-by
Locations
  • Frontiers in Neuroscience (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Minerva Access (University of Melbourne) (submittedVersion, cc-by)
  • Adelaide Research & Scholarship (AR&S) (University of Adelaide) (submittedVersion, cc-by)
  • DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion, cc-by-sa)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Biological Psychiatry › Tryptophan and brain disorders
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Behavioral Neuroscience › Stress Responses and Cortisol
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Neurology › Neuroinflammation and Neurodegeneration Mechanisms
Keywords
TLR4, major depressive disorder, innate immunity, neuroimmune interactions, neuroendocrine interaction, serotonergic neurotransmission, stress, neuroendocrine dysfunction, immune signaling, antidepressant targets, chronic stress

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