Mesenchymal stem cells improve depressive disorder via inhibiting the inflammatory polarization of microglia
Qianqian Wang, Yifan Xu, Sijie Zhu, Longwei Jiang, Yao Lü, Xuerui Yu, Yuheng Zhang, Shaochang Jia, Min Hong, Jie Zheng
Abstract
Depressive disorder (DD) ranks among the most prevalent, burdensome, and costly psychiatric conditions globally. It manifests through a range of emotional, cognitive, somatic, and behavioral symptoms. Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSCs) have garnered significant attention due to their therapeutic potential via immunomodulation in neurological disorders. Our research indicates that MSCs treatment demonstrates a notable effect on a Chronic Unpredictable Mild Stress (CUMS)-induced DD model in mice, surpassing even Fluoxetine in its antidepressant efficacy. MSCs mitigate DD by inhibiting central nervous system inflammation and facilitating the conversion of microglial cells into an Arg1 high anti-inflammatory state. The MSCs-derived TGF-β1 is crucial for this Arg1 high microglial cell transformation in DD treatment. • Hippocampus transplantation of MSCs alleviates depressive-like behaviors in mice. • MSCs can promote microglial cells convert into an Arg1high anti-inflammation state. • MSCs-derived TGF-β1 is crucial for Arg1high microglial cells conversion.