Fig. 1
From: P2X7 receptor mediates NLRP3 inflammasome activation in depression and diabetes
Pathological mechanism of depression induced by the P2X7–NLRP3–IL-1β pathway. Stress stimulates the production and release of excessive Glu at the synaptic terminals of neurons, promoting astrocytes to release a large amount of ATP. In the microglia, P2X7 receptors are activated by excessive extracellular ATP levels, which lead to cascade reactions and induce the overactivation of NLRP3 inflammasomes. Activated caspase-1 induces the maturation and release of IL-1β, which triggers neuroinflammation that can lead to depression