# Molecular profiles in amygdala relevant to the relief of chronic unpredicted mild stress-induced depression by periodic meeting confidantes

## TL;DR

This study explores how social interaction with confidantes can relieve depression-like behaviors in mice and identifies molecular changes in the amygdala linked to this effect.

## Contribution

The study reveals molecular profiles in the amygdala associated with the relief of chronic stress-induced depression through social support.

## Key findings

- Periodic interaction with confidantes ameliorated depression-like behaviors in mice.
- 194 differentially expressed genes and 98 microRNAs were linked to depression relief.
- A microRNA-mRNA network in the amygdala was identified as relevant to the effect of social support.

## Abstract

Social interaction with confidantes and living in groups are thought of as effective approaches to relieve affective disorders, especially major depression. The molecular mechanisms underlying this effectiveness remain largely unknown. Here, periodic interaction with confidante was used to study the effect of social support on depression-like behaviours induced by chronic unpredicted mild stress (CUMS), and high-throughput sequencing was used to analyse the miRNA and mRNA profiles in amygdala harvested from susceptible mice and resilience mice. The results showed that periodic interaction with confidante ameliorated CUMS-induced depression-like behaviours, and 194 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were found to be associated with depression-like behaviours, 29 DEGs associated with resilience behaviours, and 152 DEGs associated with periodic meeting confidante. In addition, 98 differentially expressed microRNAs are associated with the relief of depression by confidantes. The microRNA-mRNA network associated with confidante-relieved depression has been established in the amygdala, based on our studies in microRNA and mRNA profiles. Taken together, our studies have revealed the potential new approach to improve depression-like behaviours induced by chronic stress, as well as many potential drug targets to prevent and treat major depression.