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Serotonin Transporter mRNA Expression is Decreased by Lamivudine and Ribavirin and Increased by Interferon in Immune Cells
Author(s) -
Tsao C.W.,
Lin Y.S.,
Cheng J.T.,
Chang W.W.,
Chen C.L.,
Wu S.R.,
Fan C.W.,
Lo H.Y.
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
scandinavian journal of immunology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.934
H-Index - 88
eISSN - 1365-3083
pISSN - 0300-9475
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-3083.2005.01715.x
Subject(s) - lamivudine , ribavirin , serotonin transporter , peripheral blood mononuclear cell , interferon , immune system , serotonin , pharmacology , serotonergic , immunology , medicine , endocrinology , biology , receptor , virus , in vitro , biochemistry , hepatitis b virus , hepatitis c virus
Clinical reports document that depression as a side effect is more prevalent in hepatic patients given interferon (IFN)‐α therapy than in those given lamivudine. The mechanisms, however, are poorly understood. Serotonin transporter (5‐HTT), via uptake of serotonin (5‐HT) into presynaptic serotoninergic neurons, is an initial action site for antidepressants. Real‐time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to quantify 5‐HTT mRNA expression in immune cells in order to evaluate whether 5‐HTT acted as an indicator of depression. Results showed that the 5‐HTT mRNA expression was much higher in T‐cell and B‐cell lines than that in a monocytic cell line. Treatment with either lamivudine or ribavirin reduced the 5‐HTT mRNA expression, protein level and 5‐HT uptake in T‐cell line. Treatment with IFN‐α, however, increased those levels in the same group. A similar effect was observed in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). Mimicking clinical use by treating PBMC with a combination of IFN‐α and ribavirin increased the 5‐HTT mRNA expression level. Our study indicates that these therapeutic drugs regulate 5‐HTT expression, which implies that 5‐HTT might be a trait marker in IFN‐α‐induced depression after hepatic therapy.