The CD44 ligand hyaluronic acid is elevated in the cerebrospinal fluid of suicide attempters and is associated with increased blood-brain barrier permeability.

Filip Ventorp, Cecilie Bay-Richter, Analise Sauro, Shorena Janelidze, Viktor Sjödahl Matsson, Jack Lipton, Ulrika Nordström, Åsa Westrin, Patrik Brundin, Lena Brundin

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

The glycosaminoglycan hyaluronic acid (HA) is an important component of the extracellular matrix (ECM) in the brain. CD44 is a cell adhesion molecule that binds to HA in the ECM and is present on astrocytes, microglia and certain neurons. Cell adhesion molecules have been reported to be involved in anxiety and mood disorders. CD44 levels are decreased in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of depressed individuals, and the CD44 gene has been identified in brain GWAS studies as a possible risk gene for suicidal behavior.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)349-354
JournalJournal of Affective Disorders
Volume193
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2016

Subject classification (UKÄ)

  • Psychiatry

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