Paroxetine differentially modulates LPS-induced TNFα and IL-6 production in mouse macrophages

Paroxetine is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) that is clinically used for the treatment of depression in human patients. Because of recent reports on the role of serotonin in modulating inflammation and the link between inflammation and depression, we sought to test the effect of paroxetine directly on macrophage response to an inflammatory stimulus. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) treatment of mouse macrophages significantly enhanced TNF alpha and IL-6 production. Paroxetine treatment of macrophages, however, significantly inhibited LPS-induced IL-6 production. In contrast, paroxetine enhanced LPS-induced TNF alpha production in macrophages. These effects of paroxetine were mimicked by fluoxetine, another SSRI. To determine if the effects of paroxetine are mediated via modulation of the 5-HT system, we treated macrophages with 5-HT or 5-HT receptor antagonist (LY215840) in the presence of LPS and/or paroxetine. 5-HT treatment by itself did not affect LPS-induced cytokine production. LY215840, however, reversed paroxetine's effect on LPS-induced TNF alpha production but not IL-6. To understand the signaling mechanisms, we examined paroxetine's effect on MAPK and NF kappa B pathways. While paroxetine inhibited LPS-induced I kappa B alpha phosphorylation, MAPK pathways were mostly unaffected. Together these data demonstrate that paroxetine has critical but differential effects on IL-6 and TNF alpha production in macrophages and that it likely regulates these cytokines via distinct mechanisms. (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.