Individual differences in the peripheral immune system promote resilience versus susceptibility to social stress.

ABSTRACT: Depression and anxiety disorders are associated with increased release of peripheral cytokines; however, their functional relevance remains unknown. Using a social stress model in mice, we find preexisting individual differences in the sensitivity of the peripheral immune system that predict and promote vulnerability to social stress. Cytokine profiles were obtained 20 min after the first social stress exposure. Of the cytokines regulated by stress, IL-6 was most highly up-regulated only in mice that ultimately developed a susceptible behavioral phenotype following a subsequent chronic stress, and levels remained elevated for at least 1 mo. We confirmed a similar elevation of serum IL-6 in two separate cohorts of patients with treatment-resistant major depressive disorder. Before any physi

SUBMITTER: Hodes GE 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4234602 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature