Affiliations: Institute for Physiology, Molecular Biology and Neurosciences, CONICET-UBA, and Department of Physiology, Molecular and Cellular Biology, FCEyN, University of Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
Correspondence:
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Correspondence to: Amaicha Mara Depino, Ph.D., Institute for Physiology, Molecular Biology and Neurosciences, CONICET-UBA, Int. Guiraldes 2160, Ciudad Universitaria, Pabellon 2, 2do piso, C1428EHA, Buenos Aires, Argentina. Tel.: +54 11 4576 3300/Ext. 469; Fax: +54 11 4576 3447; E-mail: adepino@conicet.gov.ar
Abstract: Transforming growth factor 1 (TGF-β1) is an anti-inflammatory cytokine that is expressed in different regions of the mammalian brain, and at all developmental ages. This cytokine can modulate neuron differentiation and survival, and also participate in the tissular response to injury. Based on clinical evidence, different approaches have been used to study the role of TGF-β1 on modulating brain function and behavior. Here, we review evidence showing a role of TGF-β1 in circadian rhythms, locomotion, sociability and depression-related behaviors. For these behaviors, suprachiamatic, hippocampal and cerebellar expression of TGF-β1 have been manipulated. Further studies are required to extend these results to other brain regions and different behaviors, but so far evidence points to a role of TGF-β1 on behavior disorders such as schizophrenia, depression and autism.
