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Plasma complement C3 and C3a are increased in major depressive disorder independent of childhood trauma

Xianmei Luo1,2, Zeman Fang1, Lingyun Lin1

  • 1Mental Health Center of Shantou University, Mental Health Center, Taishan North Road, Shantou, 515065, China.

BMC Psychiatry
|November 29, 2022
PubMed

Insights

Elevated complement C3 and C3a levels are linked to major depressive disorder (MDD) pathophysiology. However, childhood trauma history did not correlate with these inflammatory markers in MDD patients.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroimmunology
  • Psychiatry

Background:

  • The complement system plays a role in major depressive disorder (MDD) pathophysiology.
  • Childhood trauma may increase adult depression risk through immune activation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compare peripheral levels of complement C3, C3a, C1q, and C-reactive protein (CRP) in MDD patients and healthy controls.
  • To investigate the association between these molecule levels and childhood trauma history in MDD patients.

Main Methods:

  • Recruited 49 medication-free MDD patients and 45 healthy controls.
  • Administered the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire and collected blood samples.
  • Measured plasma C3, C3a, C1q, and CRP using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

Main Results:

  • MDD patients showed significantly higher plasma concentrations of C3 and C3a compared to controls.
  • Plasma concentrations of C1q and CRP were comparable between MDD patients and controls.
  • No association was found between childhood trauma history and the measured inflammatory factors in MDD patients.

Conclusions:

  • Complement C3 and C3a may be involved in the pathophysiology of MDD.
  • Childhood trauma history was not associated with circulating levels of complement C3, C3a, C1q, and CRP in this cohort.
Abstract

Keywords:
C1qC3C3aCRPChildhood traumaMajor depressive disorder

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