Salt-inducible kinase 1-CREB-regulated transcription coactivator 1 signalling in the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus plays a role in depression by regulating the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis.

Elucidating the molecular mechanism underlying the hyperactivity of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis during chronic stress is critical for understanding depression and treating depression. The secretion of corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) from neurons in the paraventricular nucleus (PVN) of the hypothalamus is controlled by salt-inducible kinases (SIKs) and CREB-regulated transcription co-activators (CRTCs). We hypothesised that the SIK-CRTC system in the PVN might contribute to the pathogenesis of depression.

Ginsenoside Rh2 administration produces crucial antidepressant-like effects in a CUMS-induced mice model of depression.

Introduction: The most striking feature of depression is sadness and a loss of interest in activities, which represents a major cause of disability globally. Therefore, it is necessary to identify novel antidepressants for clinical practice. Ginsenoside Rh2 (Rh2) is one of the major bioactive ginsenosides that can be extracted from Panax ginseng and has been demonstrated to improve both memory and learning.

Virus-mediated decrease of LKB1 activity in the mPFC diminishes stress-induced depressive-like behaviors in mice.

As a highly prevalent neuropsychiatric disorder worldwide, the pathophysiology of depression is not yet fully understood and based on multiple factors among which chronic stress is critical. Numerous previous studies have shown the role of central mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) signaling in depression. However, so far it remains elusive by which way chronic stress down-regulates the activity of central mTORC1.

Hippocampal MSK1 regulates the behavioral and biological responses of mice to chronic social defeat stress: Involving of the BDNF-CREB signaling and neurogenesis.

Depression is one of the most common psychiatric diseases in the 21st century, while its pathogenesis is not yet fully understood. Currently, besides to the monoaminergic system, the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF)-cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB) signaling is one of the most attractive signaling pathways for treating depression. Mitogen and stress-activated kinase (MSK) 1 and 2 are nuclear proteins activated downstream of the ERK1/2 or p38 MAPK pathways, and it has been demonstrated that MSKs are involved in the BDNF-CREB signaling.

Hippocampal miR-206-3p participates in the pathogenesis of depression via regulating the expression of BDNF.

As a widely-known neuropsychiatric disorder, the exact pathogenesis of depression remains elusive. MiRNA-206 (miR-206) is conventionally known as one of the myomiRs and has two forms: miR-206-3p and miR-206-5p. Recently, miR-206 has been demonstrated to regulate the biosynthesis of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a very popular target involved in depression and antidepressant responses.

Hippocampal PPARα Plays a Role in the Pharmacological Mechanism of Vortioxetine, a Multimodal-Acting Antidepressant.

As a well-known multimodal-acting antidepressant, vortioxetine is thought to aim at several serotonin (5-HT) receptors and the 5-HT transporter. However, recently more and more proteins besides 5-HT are being reported to participate in the antidepressant mechanism of vortioxetine. As a widely known nuclear hormone receptor, peroxisome proliferator activated receptor (PPARα) possesses transcriptional activity and is very important in the brain.

Xanthoceraside administration produces significant antidepressant effects in mice through activation of the hippocampal BDNF signaling pathway.

Current available antidepressants have various adverse reactions and slow pharmacodynamics, so it is necessary to find novel antidepressants for effective treatment. Xanthoceraside (XAN), a novel triterpenoid saponin extracted from the fruit husks of Xanthoceras sorbifolium Bunge, has anti-amnesic and neuroprotective properties. The purpose and significance of this study is to assess whether XAN has antidepressant effects in mice using the forced swim test (FST), tail suspension test (TST) and chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) model of depression.

Antidepressant-like activity of L-701324 in mice: A behavioral and neurobiological characterization.

Antidepressants currently used in clinical practice have limitations such as low efficacy, slow onset and various adverse reactions. It has become necessary to develop novel antidepressants beyond monoaminergic drugs. L-701,324 is a potent NMDA receptor antagonist, and the purpose of this study was to investigate the possible antidepressant effects of L-701,324 in mice.

Antidepressant-like effects of 1-methylnicotinamide in a chronic unpredictable mild stress model of depression.

Depression is one of the most common psychiatric disorders, and there is strong demand for developing novel antidepressants with better efficacy and less adverse effects. 1-Methylnicotinamide (MNA) is a main metabolite of nicotinamide and has been demonstrated to possess biological effects in the brain. This study aimed to evaluate the antidepressant-like effects of MNA in mice, and the possible antidepressant mechanism was also determined.

Ex vivo expansion and transplantation of hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells supported by mesenchymal stem cells from human umbilical cord blood.

Human mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are multipotential and are detected in bone marrow (BM), adipose tissue, placenta, and umbilical cord blood (UCB). In this study, we examined the ability of UCB-derived MSCs (UCB-MSCs) to support ex vivo expansion of hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells (HSPCs) from UCB and the engraftment of expanded HSPCs in NOD/SCID mice. The result showed that UCB-MSCs supported the proliferation and differentiation of CD34+ cells in vitro.