Chronic mild stress-induced anhedonia in rats is coupled with the upregulation of inflammasome sensors: a possible involvement of NLRP1

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: NOD-like receptors containing pyrin domain (NLRP) are cytosolic receptors belong to innate immune system and function as sensing bodies for danger signals by forming inflammasome complex which in turn produces caspase-1-mediated interleukin (IL)-1 beta and IL-18 proinflammatory cytokines. Latest findings indicate that NLRP3 inflammasome mainly located in microglia cells in central nervous system (CNS) is linked to depression pathophysiology. However, another important CNS inflammasome, the neuronal NLRP1 inflammasome, has not been addressed in psychological stress or depression, yet. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to investigate the possible involvement NLRP1 inflammasome together with NLRP3 in chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS), a well-validated animal model of depression in rats.