Role of Janus-Kinases in Major Depressive Disorder

Background/Aims: Major depressive disorder is a severe, common and often chronic disease with a significant mortality due to suicide. The pathogenesis of major depression is still unknown. It is assumed that a reduction of neurogenesis in the hippocampus plays an important role in the development of...

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Main Authors: Anne Gulbins, Heike Grassmé, Richard Hoehn, Marcus Kohnen, Michael J. Edwards, Johannes Kornhuber, Erich Gulbins
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Cell Physiol Biochem Press GmbH & Co KG 2016-08-01
Series:Neurosignals
Subjects:
Online Access:http://prod.karger.com/Article/FullText/442613
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author Anne Gulbins
Heike Grassmé
Richard Hoehn
Marcus Kohnen
Michael J. Edwards
Johannes Kornhuber
Erich Gulbins
author_facet Anne Gulbins
Heike Grassmé
Richard Hoehn
Marcus Kohnen
Michael J. Edwards
Johannes Kornhuber
Erich Gulbins
author_sort Anne Gulbins
collection DOAJ
description Background/Aims: Major depressive disorder is a severe, common and often chronic disease with a significant mortality due to suicide. The pathogenesis of major depression is still unknown. It is assumed that a reduction of neurogenesis in the hippocampus plays an important role in the development of major depressive disorder. However, the mechanisms that control proliferation of neuronal stem cells in the hippocampus require definition. Here, we investigated the role of Janus-Kinase 3 (Jak-3) for stress-induced inhibition of neurogenesis and the induction of major depression symptoms in mice. Methods: Stress was induced by the application of glucocorticosterone. Brain sections were stained with phospho-specific antibodies and analysed by confocal microscopy to measure phosphorylation of Jak-3 specifically in the hippocampus. Jak-3 inhibitors and the antidepressant amitriptyline were applied to counteract stress. The effects of the inhibitors were determined by a set of behavioural tests and analysis of Jak-3 phosphorylation in brain sections. Acid sphingomyelinase-deficient mice were employed to test whether Jak3 is downstream of ceramide. Results: The data show that stress reduces neurogenesis, which is restored by simultaneous application of Jak-3 inhibitors. Inhibition of neurogenesis correlated with an anxious-depressive behaviour that was also normalized upon application of a Jak-3-inhibitor. Confocal microscopy data revealed that stress triggers a phosphorylation and thereby activation of Jak-3 in the hippocampus. Amitriptyline, a commonly used antidepressant that blocks the acid sphingomyelinase, or acid sphingomyelinase-deficiency reduced stress-induced phosphorylation of Jak-3. Conclusion: Our data show that Jak-3 is activated by stress at least partially via the acid sphingomyelinase and is involved in the mediation of stress-induced major depression.
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spelling doaj.art-f9fd65dcef8a4c71bfa6f72dd90572902022-12-21T19:48:21ZengCell Physiol Biochem Press GmbH & Co KGNeurosignals1424-862X1424-86382016-08-01241718010.1159/000442613442613Role of Janus-Kinases in Major Depressive DisorderAnne GulbinsHeike GrassméRichard HoehnMarcus KohnenMichael J. EdwardsJohannes KornhuberErich GulbinsBackground/Aims: Major depressive disorder is a severe, common and often chronic disease with a significant mortality due to suicide. The pathogenesis of major depression is still unknown. It is assumed that a reduction of neurogenesis in the hippocampus plays an important role in the development of major depressive disorder. However, the mechanisms that control proliferation of neuronal stem cells in the hippocampus require definition. Here, we investigated the role of Janus-Kinase 3 (Jak-3) for stress-induced inhibition of neurogenesis and the induction of major depression symptoms in mice. Methods: Stress was induced by the application of glucocorticosterone. Brain sections were stained with phospho-specific antibodies and analysed by confocal microscopy to measure phosphorylation of Jak-3 specifically in the hippocampus. Jak-3 inhibitors and the antidepressant amitriptyline were applied to counteract stress. The effects of the inhibitors were determined by a set of behavioural tests and analysis of Jak-3 phosphorylation in brain sections. Acid sphingomyelinase-deficient mice were employed to test whether Jak3 is downstream of ceramide. Results: The data show that stress reduces neurogenesis, which is restored by simultaneous application of Jak-3 inhibitors. Inhibition of neurogenesis correlated with an anxious-depressive behaviour that was also normalized upon application of a Jak-3-inhibitor. Confocal microscopy data revealed that stress triggers a phosphorylation and thereby activation of Jak-3 in the hippocampus. Amitriptyline, a commonly used antidepressant that blocks the acid sphingomyelinase, or acid sphingomyelinase-deficiency reduced stress-induced phosphorylation of Jak-3. Conclusion: Our data show that Jak-3 is activated by stress at least partially via the acid sphingomyelinase and is involved in the mediation of stress-induced major depression.http://prod.karger.com/Article/FullText/442613Janus kinases (Jaks)Neuronal stem cellsMajor depressionAcid sphingomyelinase
spellingShingle Anne Gulbins
Heike Grassmé
Richard Hoehn
Marcus Kohnen
Michael J. Edwards
Johannes Kornhuber
Erich Gulbins
Role of Janus-Kinases in Major Depressive Disorder
Neurosignals
Janus kinases (Jaks)
Neuronal stem cells
Major depression
Acid sphingomyelinase
title Role of Janus-Kinases in Major Depressive Disorder
title_full Role of Janus-Kinases in Major Depressive Disorder
title_fullStr Role of Janus-Kinases in Major Depressive Disorder
title_full_unstemmed Role of Janus-Kinases in Major Depressive Disorder
title_short Role of Janus-Kinases in Major Depressive Disorder
title_sort role of janus kinases in major depressive disorder
topic Janus kinases (Jaks)
Neuronal stem cells
Major depression
Acid sphingomyelinase
url http://prod.karger.com/Article/FullText/442613
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