The effects of IL2Rγ knockout on depression and contextual memory

Interleukin (IL)-2Rγ shows robust upregulation in neuroinflammatory states associated with clinical depression. We tested the hypothesis that mice lacking IL2Rγ would have decreased depressive-like behavior. Contrary to this expectation, these knockout mice showed increased immobility in both the Porsolt forced swimming and Nomura water wheel tests. By comparison, the auditory fear conditioning test showed increased retention of contextual freezing. Thus, intact IL2Rγ combats depressive-like behavior.