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New role of sertraline against Toxoplasma gondii‐induced depression‐like behaviours in mice

Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) is a neurotropic protozoan parasite, which can cause mental and behavioural disorders. The present study aimed to elucidate the effects and underlying molecular mechanisms of sertraline (SERT) on T. gondii‐induced depression‐like behaviours. In the present study, a mouse model and a microglial cell line (BV2 cells) model were established by infecting with the T. gondii RH strain. In in vivo and in vitro experiments, the underlying molecular mechanisms of SERT in inhibiting depression‐like behaviours and cellular perturbations caused by T. gondii infection were investigated in the mouse brain and BV2 cells. The administration of SERT significantly ameliorated depression‐like behaviours in T. gondii‐infected mice. Furthermore, SERT inhibited T. gondii proliferation. Treatment with SERT significantly inhibited the activation of microglia and decreased levels of pro‐inflammatory cytokines such as tumour necrosis factor‐alpha, and interferon‐gamma, by down‐regulating tumour necrosis factor receptor 1/nuclear factor‐kappa B signalling pathway, thereby ameliorating the depression‐like behaviours induced by T. gondii infection. Our study provides insight into the underlying molecular mechanisms of the newly discovered role of SERT against T. gondii‐induced depression‐like behaviours.