Yuan Fang1, Qi Qiu1, Shengyu Zhang2, Lin Sun1, Guanjun Li1, Shifu Xiao1, Xia Li3. 1. Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 600 South Wan Ping Road, Shanghai 200030, China. 2. Shanghai Key Laboratory of Forensic Medicine, Shanghai Forensic Service Platform, Institute of Forensic Science, Ministry of Justice, No. 1347, Guangfu West Road, Putuo District, Shanghai 200063, China. 3. Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 600 South Wan Ping Road, Shanghai 200030, China. Electronic address: ja_1023@hotmail.com.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Neurotrophins including brain-derived neurotropic factor (BDNF) are implicated in the pathogenesis of major depressive disorder (MDD). Yet, the roles of brain-specific BDNF-related miRNAs miR-132 and miR-124 are unclear. METHODS: We enrolled 45 treatment-free patients with MDD, 32 citalopram-treated patients with MDD, and 32 healthy control subjects. Participants were assessed with the Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD) and Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAMA). In a case-control sub-study, we followed 14 treatment-free patients who were subsequently treated with citalopram for 2 months. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to detect plasma BDNF, and real-time polymerase chain reaction was used to quantify relative plasma miR-132 and miR-124 expression. RESULTS: Patients with MDD had significantly higher HAMA and HAMD scores than the control group, with the highest scores in the treatment-free MDD group. Plasma miR-132 in the treatment-free MDD group was 2.4-fold that in the control group and significantly higher than that in the citalopram-treated MDD group. Plasma miR-124 in the treatment-free MDD and citalopram-treated MDD groups was 1.8-fold and 4-fold that in the control group, respectively. Compared to the control group, plasma BDNF levels were increased in both MDD groups, but not significantly different between them. There was a positive correlation between miR-132 and HAMD and HAMA scores, whereas no significant correlations were identified for plasma miR-124 or BDNF. LIMITATIONS: The range of neurotrophin-related MiRNAs and the number of follow-up cases were limited. CONCLUSIONS: BDNF and miR-124 in plasma increase with depression and antidepressants. Plasma MiR-132 might be an indication for depression status.
BACKGROUND: Neurotrophins including brain-derived neurotropic factor (BDNF) are implicated in the pathogenesis of major depressive disorder (MDD). Yet, the roles of brain-specific BDNF-related miRNAs miR-132 and miR-124 are unclear. METHODS: We enrolled 45 treatment-free patients with MDD, 32 citalopram-treated patients with MDD, and 32 healthy control subjects. Participants were assessed with the Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD) and Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAMA). In a case-control sub-study, we followed 14 treatment-free patients who were subsequently treated with citalopram for 2 months. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to detect plasma BDNF, and real-time polymerase chain reaction was used to quantify relative plasma miR-132 and miR-124 expression. RESULTS:Patients with MDD had significantly higher HAMA and HAMD scores than the control group, with the highest scores in the treatment-free MDD group. Plasma miR-132 in the treatment-free MDD group was 2.4-fold that in the control group and significantly higher than that in the citalopram-treated MDD group. Plasma miR-124 in the treatment-free MDD and citalopram-treated MDD groups was 1.8-fold and 4-fold that in the control group, respectively. Compared to the control group, plasma BDNF levels were increased in both MDD groups, but not significantly different between them. There was a positive correlation between miR-132 and HAMD and HAMA scores, whereas no significant correlations were identified for plasma miR-124 or BDNF. LIMITATIONS: The range of neurotrophin-related MiRNAs and the number of follow-up cases were limited. CONCLUSIONS:BDNF and miR-124 in plasma increase with depression and antidepressants. Plasma MiR-132 might be an indication for depression status.