Inflammation and blood-brain-barrier in depression - interaction of CLDN5 and IL6 gene variants in stress-induced depression.

BACKGROUND
Evidence from rodents indicated that after recent stress, reduced expression of tight junction protein claudin-5 may weaken the blood-brain barrier and allow interleukin-6 to induce depressive symptoms. Our aims were to prove this pathomechanism in humans.


METHODS
We used a large population genetic database (UK Biobank, n = 277 501) to test whether variation in CLDN5 gene could modulate effects of IL6 gene variant in stress-induced depression. 3-way interaction of functional polymorphisms, rs885985 of CLDN5 and rs1800795 of IL6 with recent stressful life events were tested on current depressive symptoms. Analyses were performed in male- and female populations, too.


RESULTS
The 3-way interaction including recent stress yielded highly significant results on current depressive symptoms in the UK Biobank sample, which was more pronounced in men and could be replicated on trend level in an independent cohort (NewMood, n=1 638). None of any other associations or interactions, including e.g. childhood stressors and lifetime depression as an outcome, yielded significance.


CONCLUSIONS
These findings provide genetic evidence in humans for the interaction among interleukin-6, claudin-5 and recent stress, suggesting that inflammation is involved in the development of depression, and stress-connected brain entry of inflammatory molecules is a key factor in this pathomechanism. These genetic polymorphisms may help to identify people at higher risk for recent stress-induced depression.