TOM40 mediates the effect of TSPO on postpartum depression partially through regulating calcium homeostasis in microglia.

Aims: To assess the effect of the translocator protein 18 kDa (TSPO) on postpartum depression and explore its mechanism.

Methods: Postpartum depression (PPD) mouse model was established, and flow cytometry, immunofluorescence, Western blot analysis, real-time quantitative PCR, adeno-associated virus (AAV), co-immunoprecipitation-mass spectrometry and immunofluorescence co-staining were used to detect the effect of TSPO ligand ZBD-2 on PPD mice.

Results: ZBD-2 inhibits the overactivation of microglia in the hippocampus and amygdala of PPD model mice.