T Lymphocytes and Anxiety: A Review of Clinical and Animal Studies

While the role of the innate immune system’s role in mood and anxiety disorders is well-studied, the role for the adaptive immune system in these disorders is less well defined. Animal studies link the adaptive immune system to stress-related behavior and stress circuitry, and in particular point to a role for T lymphocytes in immune-brain crosstalk that influences anxiety and brain function. Clinical studies also support the link between the adaptive immune system, in particular T lymphocytes, and anxiety disorders. Here we review this literature related to changes in adaptive immune markers in patient populations, considerations for treatment related to immune modulation, and the possible role that adaptive immune-brain crosstalk may play in gender differences in stress-related behaviors and brain function.