Deciphering what governs inflammation and its effects on tissues is vital for understanding many pathologies. The recent discovery
that glycogen synthase kinase-3 (GSK3) promotes inflammation reveals a new component of its well-documented actions in several
prevalent diseases which involve inflammation, including mood disorders, Alzheimer’s disease, diabetes, and cancer. Involvement
in such disparate conditions stems from the widespread influences of GSK3 on many cellular functions, with this review focusing
on its regulation of inflammatory processes. GSK3 promotes the production of inflammatory molecules and cell migration, which
together make GSK3 a powerful regulator of inflammation, while GSK3 inhibition provides protection from inflammatory conditions
in animal models. The involvement of GSK3 and inflammation in these diseases are highlighted. Thus, GSK3 may contribute not
only to primary pathologies in these diseases, but also to the associated inflammation, suggesting that GSK3 inhibitors may
have multiple effects influencing these conditions.
Keywords Glycogen synthase kinase-3 - Bipolar disorder - Alzheimer’s disease - Diabetes - Cancer - Inflammation - Cell migration - Lithium
Special issue dedicated to John P. Blass.