Fig. 2: An overview of the functional roles of oligodendrocyte lineage cells in depression.
Under extreme social pressure, glutamate, ATP, 5-HT or the adrenal cortical hormone released by the activated hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis stimulates different signaling pathways in oligodendrocyte lineage cells. These signaling pathways may affect myelin gene transcription, myelin-associated genes to cause demyelination or increase [Ca2+]i to a toxic level. Moreover, some molecular factors released by oligodendrocyte lineage cells, such as microRNAs, Neuregulin 1, fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2), γ-secretase or GABA, also influence the homeostasis of the central nervous system. Under the stimulation of stress, inflammatory factors released by oligodendrocyte lineage cells can directly affect the immune system and cause depression.
