Increased soluble tumor necrosis factor‐α receptors in patients with major depressive disorder

Abstract

Aim: Several lines of evidence suggest that major depressive disorder is associated with an inflammatory status. Tumor necrosis factor-a has been investigated as a potential molecular target in mood disorders. Tumor necrosis factor-a exerts its activity through binding to specific cell membrane receptors named as TNFR1 and TNFR2. The aim of the present study was to investigate soluble plasma TNFR1 (sTNFR1) and TNFR2 levels (sTNFR2) in major depressive disorder patients.Methods: Female outpatients with major depressive disorder (n = 30) were compared with a healthy control group (n = 19). Severity of depressive symptoms was evaluated on Beck Depression Inventory; post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms were evaluated on PTSD Checklist-Civilian Version; and childhood abuse and neglect on the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire. Plasma tumor necrosis factor-a and its soluble receptors were measured by ELISA. Results: Patients had no changes in tumor necrosisfactor-a concentrations but did have increased sTNFR1 (P < 0.001) and sTNFR2 (P < 0.001) levels compared to controls. Plasma level of sTNFR1 was positively predicted by age (B = 0.25, P = 0.05) and PTSD-like symptoms (B = 0.41, P = 0.002) and plasma levels of sTNFR2 by depression severity (B = 0.67, P < 0.001).Conclusions: Soluble tumor necrosis factor-a receptors could be reliable markers of inflammatory activity in major depression.

Interplay between Neuroimmunoendocrine Systems during Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder: A Minireview

“…There is growing evidence supporting the link between traumatic stress to a pro-inflammatory profile [5] , with increasing serum concentrations of TNF-␣ , IFN-␥ , IL-1 ␤ and IL-6. Recently, we observed that depressed patients with or without PTSD symptoms had higher soluble TNF receptor 2 levels in contrast to lower IL-2 and chemokine RANTES levels compared to healthy controls [6] . The low-grade inflammatory response has been linked to disease severity.…”

Neuroimmunoendocrine Interactions in Patients with Recurrent Major Depression, Increased Early Life Stress and Long-Standing Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms

“…Of important note, the reduced IL-2 production could be interpreted as the underlying mechanism for blunted T cell responses. Major depression and PTSD have been associated with higher plasma levels of proinflammatory mediators such as acute phase proteins and cytokines [13][14][15][16] . However, little is known about secreted cytokine profiles in depression and discrepancies could be explained by methodological differences (i.e.…”

“…Moreover, MDD has also been linked to reduced glucocorticoid-induced immunoregulation [11,12] and to low-grade inflammatory responses. Indeed, MDD has been related with higher levels of soluble tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-␣ receptors (sTNFR1 and sTNFR2) [13] as well as elevated proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines such as MCP-1, interleukin (IL)-1 ␤ , IL-6, IL-8, interferon (IFN)-␥ and TNF-␣ [13][14][15][16] .…”

sTNFr1 and it's contributory role in the evolution and progression of different psychiatric disorders

“…This is especially more pronounced in patients with coexisting comorbidities such as congestive heart failure. Higher levels are also noticed in patients with depression secondary to "posttraumatic stress disorder" (3). A significant association is also seen between the age of the patients with major depression and the corresponding sTNFr1 levels.…”