Brain immune cells characterization in UCMS exposed P2X7 knock-out mouse

Several lines of evidence suggest that neuroinflammation might be a key neurobiological mechanism depression. In particular, the P2X7 receptor (P2X7R), an ATP-gated ion channel involved in activation pro-inflammatory interleukin IL-1?, has been shown to potential new pharmacological target The aim this study was explore impact unpredictable chronic mild stress (UCMS) on behavioural changes, hippocampal neurogenesis, and cellular characterisation brain immune cells, P2X7R Knock-Out (KO) mice. KO wild-type (WT) mice were subjected 6-week UCMS protocol received conventional oral antidepressant (15 mg.kg?1 fluoxetine) or water per os. then underwent tests consisting tail suspension test (TST), elevated plus maze (EPM) test, open field splash nest building (week 7). Doublecortin immunostaining (DCX) slices used assess neurogenesis dentate gyrus. Iba1 TMEM119 characterise as macrophage marker (including microglial cells) specific resident cells marker. After exposure, exhibited less deterioration their coat state, spent significantly smaller amount time immobile TST larger arms EPM. As expected, adult ventral decreased by WT mice, while maintained at similar levels both control conditions. stress-related regions, also recruitment Iba1+/TMEM119+ Iba1+/TMEM119- brain. ratio between these two staining patterns revealed mostly composed (87 99%), affected neither genetic depletion nor treatment. Behavioural patterns, density after exposure differed from Brain increased regions known sensitive but not Considering Iba1+/TMEM119– characterize peripheral IBA1+/TMEM119- suggests rate may modified gene expression