Serum L-selectin levels as predictive markers for chronic major depressive disorder progression

• Published in: Annals of general psychiatry 2024-10, Vol.23 (1), p.37-9, Article 37
• Main Authors: Yun, Yeeun, Mun, Sora, Lee, Seungyeon, Kang, Hee-Gyoo, Lee, Jiyeong
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Analysis; Biological markers; Biomarkers; Blood proteins; Cell adhesion molecules; Chronic depression; Development and progression; Diagnosis; Health aspects; Inflammation; Inflammatory response mechanisms; L-selectin; Liquid chromatography; Major depressive disorder; Major Depressive Disorder (MDD); Mass spectrometry; Measurement; Prognosis; Psychiatric research; Risk factors; Serum proteomics
• ISSN: 1744-859X; 1744-859X
• DOI: 10.1186/s12991-024-00522-0

Major depressive disorder (MDD) exhibits a recurrence rate of up to 70%. Frequent recurrence can lead to chronic depression, which has considerable personal and societal consequences. This study aims to identify a serum protein biomarker to predict MDD recurrence and progression to chronicity. Serum samples from the MDD with single episode group (MDD-S), MDD with recurrence group (MDD-R), and a healthy control group were collected. Non-targeted analysis of the serum proteome was conducted using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Statistically significant common proteins when comparing the three groups were chosen. The selected marker candidates were subsequently validated through multiple response monitoring (MRM), incorporating a healthy control, MDD-S, MDD-R(2) (two episodes), and MDD-R(> 2) (more than two episodes) groups. L-selectin levels showed an upward trend in the MDD-R group compared to the healthy control and MDD-S groups. MRM validation revealed a decreased tendency for L-selectin in the MDD-R(> 2) group, indicative of a chronic state, versus the healthy control and MDD-S groups. The receiver operating characteristic analysis highlighted L-selectin as the chosen biomarker due to its classification efficacy for the MDD-R(> 2) group. L-selectin emerged as a predictive biomarker for MDD recurrence and its potential evolution into chronic depression. This marker offers insights into changes in leukocyte-mediated inflammatory responses characteristic of chronic depression. Consequently, it may forecast the transition from acute to chronic inflammation in depressive patients.