Extracellular vesicles in depression

Abstract

Depression, which is a prevalent mental disorder, continues to have unclear pathophysiological mechanisms, making it difficult to discover biomarkers and develop innovative treatment approaches. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are pivotal in intercellular communication, offering a promising avenue for investigating depression’s neurobiology and identifying biomarkers. Comprising phospholipid bilayers, EVs transport molecules like proteins and nucleic acids, influencing recipient cell behavior. Research on EVs in depression primarily examines cargo content, particularly proteins and miRNAs, affecting essential processes such as energy metabolism and neuroinflammation. Present in bodily fluids, EVs offer non-invasive diagnostic potential. Studies target neuron- or astrocyte-derived EVs across diverse populations, employing techniques like sequencing. This chapter provides insights into recent EV research in depression, highlighting their potential as biomarkers.