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From brain to blood and back again: Linking chronic stress, myelopoiesis, and depression

Ioanna Mosialou1, Stavroula Kousteni2

  • 1Department of Physiology and Cellular Biophysics, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA; Edward P. Evans for Myelodysplastic Syndromes at Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA.

Cell Stem Cell
|December 6, 2024
PubMed

Insights

Researchers discovered a brain-bone marrow pathway that worsens myelopoiesis and neuroinflammation under stress, leading to depression. This finding offers new avenues for treating stress-related mood disorders.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Hematology
  • Immunology

Background:

  • Psychological stress is linked to various health issues, including depression.
  • The interplay between the central nervous system and hematopoietic processes is not fully understood.
  • Neuroinflammation is increasingly recognized as a component of stress-related disorders.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To elucidate the biological mechanisms linking psychological stress to depression.
  • To identify novel pathways involved in stress-induced hematopoietic changes and neuroinflammation.
  • To explore potential therapeutic targets for stress-related disorders.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized a mouse model to investigate the effects of psychological stress.
  • Employed techniques to analyze hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) activity and bone marrow function.
  • Assessed markers of neuroinflammation and depressive-like behaviors.

Main Results:

  • Identified a novel brain-bone marrow axis activated by psychological stress.
  • Demonstrated that this axis enhances myelopoiesis (the production of myeloid cells) and promotes neuroinflammation.
  • Showcased that the activation of this pathway contributes to the development of depression.

Conclusions:

  • The brain-bone marrow axis plays a critical role in mediating the detrimental effects of stress.
  • Targeting this pathway could offer a new therapeutic strategy for depression and other stress-related conditions.
  • Understanding HSC regulation under stress is crucial for managing both physical and mental health.

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