Figure 4. Multiple Mechanisms May Contribute to the Dysregulation of Cytokines in MDD.
Immune cell production of cytokines is regulated by multiple mechanisms, including anti-inflammatory actions by glucocorticoids, and vagus nerve pathways, and proinflammatory actions influenced by the microbial composition and stress-induced DAMPs involving both the inflammasome and the NF-κB pathways. Ach, acetylcholine; ATP, adenosine triphosphate; DAMP, danger-associated molecular pattern; GR, glucocorticoid receptor; GSK3, glycogen synthase kinase-3; HMGB1, high-mobility group binding protein-1; IL, interleukin; NF-κB, nuclear factor-kappa B; TLR, Toll-like receptor; TGF, transforming growth factor; TNF, tumor necrosis factor