Extensive evidence highlights the role of inflammatory processes in major depressive disorder (MDD). However, most studies have examined a consistent set of inflammatory cytokines and there is evidence that other immune-derived products may play a role in MDD. In this article, we present data from 3 complimentary studies that support the role of a novel cytokine, interleukin-33 (IL-33), in depression risk. First, we show that a 2-SNP haplotype in the IL-33 gene (rs11792633 and rs7044343) moderated the link between women's history of childhood abuse and their history of recurrent MDD (rMDD), such that the link between childhood abuse and rMDD was stronger among women with fewer copies of the protective IL-33 CT haplotype. Second, linking these findings to differences in circulating cytokine levels, we show in a separate sample that those with a history of rMDD had higher peripheral levels of IL-33 and IL-1β compared with women with a single MDD episode or no history of MDD. Third, providing initial evidence of brain regions underlying these effects using archival rat brain tissue, we show that an acute stressor increased IL-33 expression in the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus and, to a lesser extent, the prefrontal cortex, key brain regions underlying stress response and emotion regulation. These findings provide converging support for the potential role of IL-33 in risk for recurrent MDD. (PsycINFO Database Record

The alarming rates and pervasiveness of suicidal and self‐destructive behaviors (e.g., non‐suicidal self‐injury) among young sexual minorities represent a major public health concern. We set out to examine whether an empirically driven treatment for suicide and self‐harm, dialectical behavior therapy for adolescents (DBT‐A), provides benefits for adolescents who identify as gay, lesbian, bisexual, or questioning (LGBQ). LGBQ adolescents (n = 16) were compared with non‐LGBQ peers (n = 23). Psychological measures were collected before and after participation in a comprehensive DBT‐A program. LGBQ participants demonstrated significant improvements in emotion regulation, depression, borderline symptoms, and coping strategies; changes were comparable to their heterosexual peers.