Inflammation hypothesis of depression by IL-17

Abstract

Despite high prevalence of depressive disorders, their etiopathogenesis has not been fully understood. Only around 2/3 of patients suffering from depression respond to the standard antidepressant treatment. Hence, further studies searching for possible pathological mechanisms and potential contributory factors to treatment-resistance are necessary in order to find new, effective and safe antidepressant therapies. Depression frequently coexists with other autoimmune disorders. Some studies reveal hat biological agents targeting interleukin 17 (IL-17), when used in patients with autoimmune diseases may have clinical efficacy in the treatment of depressive disorders. This presentation will address the inflammation hypothesis of depression, focusing on interleukin 17 (IL-17), among other proinflammatory cytokines, that might play an important role in the development of depressive disorders.