Researchers from the Mount Sinai School of Medicine in the US have discovered that immune cells in the human body called monocytes can secrete an enzyme that, when exposed, can trigger the development of depression. They are the consequences shared In the journal Nature.
It is generally accepted in the scientific community that depression occurs due to a combination of factors, including biological factors. In their study, the team focused on identifying a new mechanism for the development of this disorder based on the influence of the human immune system on the nervous system.
Comparative cross-species analysis of blood from humans and mice showed that MMP8 levels were increased in people with major depressive disorder. This enzyme (a complex protein compound) is called matrix metalloproteinase 8. Scientists also found that the concentration of MMP8 in blood serum increased in mice under stress.
It turns out that excessive amounts of MMP8 can be produced in the bloodstream by monocytes, special immune cells in the bone marrow. Scientists have discovered that the MMP8 enzyme has the ability to break down proteins (including those that make up the brain) and affect the function of neurons, thereby triggering a series of mechanisms that change a person’s behavior and response to stimuli. This effect is associated with depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
The researchers explained that there are currently no drugs that target MMP8 regulation. They suggested that non-pharmacological stress reduction (healthy lifestyle choices) may improve mental health.
existed before listed mental disorders associated with dementia.