[Progress in studies on TLR4 signaling pathway and major depressive disorder]

TLR4 signaling pathway plays an important role in regulation of the innate immune response and the adaptive immune response. Studies have shown that TLR4 signaling pathway is closely associated with the immune inflammatory process in major depressive disorder, but the underlying mechanisms are not clear. The pathophysiological process of depression involves multiple molecule mechanisms and signal pathways. The change of TLR4 signaling pathways exists in the peripheral circulation system or the central nervous system of depressive patients and depression animal models. The activation of TLR4 signaling pathways is associated with "stress-inflammation-depression" approach and "leaky gut" hypothesis, however, the relationship of peripheral and central TLR4 signaling pathways is not clear yet. TLR4 signaling pathway may be potential targets for the anti-inflammatory treatment of depression.