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Research advances in exosomes for diagnosis and treatment of depression
Li Kun, Xu Shuxian, Zhang Lihong, Wang Kun, Liu Zhongchun
Published 2024-05-05
Cite as Chin J Psychiatry, 2024, 57(5): 267-273. DOI: 10.3760/cma.j.cn113661-20230920-00078
Abstract
Exosomes are extracellular vesicles secreted by cells containing various biologically active substances, including proteins, lipids and nucleic acids. In the brain, exosomes participate in many physiological processes, such as neurogenesis, synaptic plasticity, and intercellular communication, and are closely associated with the development of depression. As exosomes can traverse the blood-brain barrier and be extracted in various peripheral body fluids, exosomes of central nervous system origin may facilitate understanding the pathophysiology of brain-related disorders. This review summarizes the role of exosomes in the common pathogenesis of depression, and it also discusses the great potential as biomarkers for early depression diagnosis and precision medicine, aiming to provide novel perspectives for depression research.
Key words:
Depressive disorder; Exosomes; Biomarker; Pathogenesis
Contributor Information
Li Kun
Department of Psychiatry, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430060, China
Xu Shuxian
Department of Psychiatry, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430060, China
Zhang Lihong
Clinical Laboratory, Affiliated Hospital of West Anhui Health Vocational College, Lu′an 237008, China
Wang Kun
Department of Psychiatry, Affiliated Hospital of West Anhui Health Vocational College, Lu′an 237008, China
Liu Zhongchun
Department of Psychiatry, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430060, China