Blood T‐helper 17 cells and interleukin‐17A correlate with the elevated risk of postpartum depression and anxiety

Abstract

The transition of motherhood is a challenge for women, which results in not only a physical burden but also mental disorders. [1][2][3][4] Postpartum depression (PPD) and postpartum anxiety (PPA) are common psychological problems that occur in up to approximately 20% of women, which result in detrimental effects on postpartum women 5,6 ; the common symptoms include insomnia, mood swings, loss of appetite, irritability, and even thoughts of self-harm and suicide. 7,8 In addition, PPD and PPA also have an adverse effect on the neurodevelopment of children, subsequently resulting in physical and psychological problems among children of women with PPD and

Th17 Cells, Glucocorticoid Resistance, and Depression

“…In children and adolescents with obsessive-compulsive disorder, an increase in Th17 lymphocytes and IL-17A was found, but their level did not always correlate with the duration and severity of obsessive-compulsive disorder symptoms [107,109]. In pregnant women, starting from the second trimester, with severe symptoms of anxiety and/or depression, an increased level of Th17 cytokines (IL-17A and IL-22) was observed in the blood, which positively correlates with the score of the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale [101], and correlate with the elevated risk of postpartum depression and anxiety [102]. In allergic and autoimmune diseases, a correlation has been shown between patients' anxiety levels and IL-17A [96,103,110].…”

“…In the literature, there is an increasing amount of data confirming the possible role of Th17 lymphocytes and IL-17A in the pathogenesis of depression [2,[92][93][94][95][96][97][98][99][100][101][102][103][104][105][106][107]. In the peripheral blood of depressed patients, the level of Th17 cells and IL-17a is significantly increased, the level of regulatory T cells is reduced, and the level of RORγT mRNA in peripheral blood lymphocytes is higher [92,94,95,97].…”

Biomarkers of Postpartum Depression: A Narrative Review

“…However, no link was found between IL-4 levels and an increased risk of PPD or postpartum anxiety (PPA) [127].…”

“…Min et al documented a positive correlation between elevated serum IL-17 levels and an increased risk of PPD and PPA. It is possible that this is due to increased levels of Th17 cells, which may be involved in regulating brain inflammation by secreting proinflammatory cytokines such as IL-17A, which led to the development of PPD [127].…”