. 2023 Jun 1;13:185. doi: 10.1038/s41398-023-02438-x

Table 2.

Immune-related mRNA candidate gene expression.

	MDD serum hsCRP <1 mg/l n = 59	MDD serum hsCRP 1–3 mg/L n = 33	MDD serum hsCRP >3 mg/L n = 36	Controls n = 40	Group tests ANOVA (Statistics and p values) and post hoc analyses	Group tests with covariates ANCOVA (Statistics and p values) and post hoc analyses
A2M Mean expression levels ± SD (95% CI)	n = 59 1.24 ± 0.18 (1.20–1.29)	n = 33 1.25 ± 0.16 (1.19–1.30)	n = 36 1.25 ± 0.21 (1.18–1.32)	n = 40 1.02 ± 0.23 (0.95–1.10)	F = 13.56, p < 0.001 Controls vs. others	F = 13.40, p < 0.001 Controls vs. others
AQP4 Mean expression levels ± SD (95% CI)	n = 59 1.08 ± 0.24 (1.02–1.14)	n = 31 0.99 ± 0.25 (0.90–1.08)	n = 35 1.06 ± 0.22 (0.99–1.14)	n = 38 1.03 ± 0.19 (0.97–1.09)	F = 1.16, p = 0.328	F = 0.91, p = 0.437
CRP Mean expression levels ± SD (95% CI)	n = 59 1.08 ± 0.22 (1.03–1.14)	n = 33 1.17 ± 0.15 (1.12–1.22)	n = 36 1.29 ± 0.22 (1.22–1.37)	n = 40 1.03 ± 0.21 (0.96–1.09)	F = 13.56, p < 0.001 MDD CRP >3 vs. MDD CRP <1; MDD CRP >3 vs. controls; MDD CRP 1–3 vs. controls Trend: MDD CRP >3 vs. MDD CRP 1–3	F = 7.46, p < 0.001 MDD CRP >3 vs. MDD CRP <1; MDD CRP >3 vs. controls; MDD CRP 1–3 vs. controls
CCL2 Mean expression levels ± SD (95% CI)	n = 59 1.14 ± 0.16 (1.09–1.18)	n = 33 1.09 ± 0.19 (1.02–1.15)	n = 36 1.15 ± 0.17 (1.09–1.20)	n = 40 1.03 ± 0.10 (0.99–1.06)	F = 5.31, p = 0.002 MDD CRP >3 vs. controls; MDD CRP <1 vs. controls	F = 5.13, p = 0.002 MDD CRP >3 vs. controls; MDD CRP <1 vs. controls
CXCL12 Mean expression levels ± SD (95% CI)	n = 59 1.01 ± 0.20 (0.95–1.06)	n = 33 1.02 ± 0.15 (0.97–1.08)	n = 36 1.08 ± 0.20 (1.01–1.14)	n = 40 1.06 ± 0.25 (0.90–1.14)	F = 1.16, p = 0.328	F = 2.82, p = 0.041 MDD CRP >3 vs. MDD CRP <1
FKBP5 Mean expression levels ± SD (95% CI)	n = 59 1.23 ± 0.12 (1.20–1.26)	n = 33 1.20 ± 0.13 (1.16–1.25)	n = 36 1.26 ± 0.14 (1.21–1.31)	n = 40 1.04 ± 0.19 (0.97–1.10)	F = 19.37, p < 0.001 Controls vs. others	F = 16.72, p < 0.001 Controls vs. others
GR Mean expression levels ± SD (95% CI)	n = 59 0.896 ± 0.14 (0.86–0.93)	n = 33 0.899 ± 0.12 (0.86–0.94)	n = 36 0.901 ± 0.13 (0.86–0.94)	n = 40 1.05 ± 0.08 (1.02–1.08)	F = 16.22, p < 0.001 Controls vs. others	F = 18.21, p < 0.001 Controls vs. others
IL-1-beta Mean expression levels ± SD (95% CI)	n = 59 1.23 ± 0.18 (1.19–1.28)	n = 33 1.26 ± 0.26 (1.17–1.35)	n = 36 1.28 ± 0.31 (1.18–1.39)	n = 40 1.07 ± 0.09 (1.04–1.10)	F = 7.87, p < 0.001 Controls vs. others	F = 6.37, p < 0.001 Controls vs. others
IL-6 Mean expression levels ± SD (95% CI)	n = 58 1.28 ± 0.20 (1.23–1.33)	n = 33 1.27 ± 0.19 (1.21–1.34)	n = 35 1.25 ± 0.14 (1.20–1.30)	n = 38 1.06 ± 0.07 (1.03–1.08)	F = 16.44, p < 0.001 Controls vs. others	F = 15.40, p < 0.001 Controls vs. others
ISG15 Mean expression levels ± SD (95% CI)	n = 59 1.01 ± 0.25 (0.95–1.08)	n = 33 0.99 ± 0.31 (0.88–1.10)	n = 36 1.03 ± 0.26 (0.94–1.12)	n = 40 0.99 ± 0.24 (0.91–1.06)	F = 0.27, p = 0.849	F = 0.11, p = 0.956
MIF Mean expression levels ± SD (95% CI)	n = 59 1.236 ± 0.20 (1.18–1.29)	n = 33 1.242 ± 0.17 (1.18–1.30)	n = 36 1.243 ± 0.15 (1.19–1.29)	n = 40 1.00 ± 0.14 (0.96–1.05)	F = 19.11, p < 0.001 Controls vs. others	F = 19.75, p < 0.001 Controls vs. others
P2RX7 Mean expression levels ± SD (95% CI)	n = 59 1.15 ± 0.36 (1.05–1.24)	n = 33 1.10 ± 0.29 (1.00–1.20)	n = 36 1.12 ± 0.32 (1.01–1.23)	n = 40 1.03 ± 0.26 (0.95–1.12)	F = 1.07, p = 0.364	F = 1.09, p = 0.357
SGK1 Mean expression levels ± SD (95% CI)	n = 59 1.10 ± 0.13 (1.07–1.14)	n = 33 1.06 ± 0.11 (1.02–1.10)	n = 36 1.13 ± 0.14 (1.08–1.18)	n = 40 1.06 ± 0.08 (1.03–1.09)	F = 3.22, p = 0.024 Trend: MDD CRP >3 vs. MDD CRP 1–3; MDD CRP >3 vs. controls	F = 4.03, p = 0.009 MDD CRP >3 vs. MDD CRP 1–3; MDD CRP >3 vs. controls
STAT1 Mean expression levels ± SD (95% CI)	n = 59 1.17 ± 0.18 (1.12–1.21)	n = 31 1.14 ± 0.18 (1.08–1.21)	n = 36 1.20 ± 0.15 (1.15–1.25)	n = 40 1.06 ± 0.18 (1.00–1.11)	F = 4.78, p = 0.003 MDD CRP >3 vs. controls; MDD CRP <1 vs. controls	F = 4.69, p = 0.004 MDD CRP >3 vs. controls; MDD CRP <1 vs. controls
TNF-alpha Mean expression levels ± SD (95% CI)	n = 59 1.28 ± 0.11 (1.25–1.31)	n = 33 1.30 ± 0.13 (1.25–1.34)	n = 36 1.31 ± 0.11 (1.28–1.35)	n = 40 1.06 ± 0.17 (1.00–1.11)	F = 32.25, p < 0.001 Controls vs. others	F = 32.06, p < 0.001 Controls vs. others
USP18 Mean expression levels ± SD (95% CI)	n = 59 1.01 ± 0.20 (0.96–1.06)	n = 33 1.00 ± 0.22 (0.92–1.08)	n = 36 1.07 ± 0.24 (0.99–1.15)	n = 40 0.99 ± 0.25 (0.91–1.07)	F = 1.01, p = 0.392	F = 0.67, p = 0.569

MDD serum hsCRP <1 mg/l
n = 59

MDD serum hsCRP 1–3 mg/L
n = 33

MDD serum hsCRP >3 mg/L
n = 36

Controls
n = 40

Group tests ANOVA (Statistics and p values)
and post hoc analyses

Group tests with covariates ANCOVA (Statistics and p values)
and post hoc analyses

A2M

Mean expression levels ± SD (95% CI)

n = 59

1.24 ± 0.18 (1.20–1.29)

n = 33

1.25 ± 0.16 (1.19–1.30)

n = 36

1.25 ± 0.21 (1.18–1.32)

n = 40

1.02 ± 0.23 (0.95–1.10)

F = 13.56, p < 0.001

Controls vs. others

F = 13.40, p < 0.001

Controls vs. others

AQP4

Mean expression levels ± SD (95% CI)

n = 59

1.08 ± 0.24 (1.02–1.14)

n = 31

0.99 ± 0.25 (0.90–1.08)

n = 35

1.06 ± 0.22 (0.99–1.14)

n = 38

1.03 ± 0.19 (0.97–1.09)

F = 1.16, p = 0.328

F = 0.91, p = 0.437

CRP

Mean expression levels ± SD (95% CI)

n = 59

1.08 ± 0.22 (1.03–1.14)

n = 33

1.17 ± 0.15 (1.12–1.22)

n = 36

1.29 ± 0.22 (1.22–1.37)

n = 40

1.03 ± 0.21 (0.96–1.09)

F = 13.56, p < 0.001

MDD CRP >3 vs. MDD CRP <1; MDD CRP >3 vs. controls; MDD CRP 1–3 vs. controls

Trend: MDD CRP >3 vs. MDD CRP 1–3

F = 7.46, p < 0.001

MDD CRP >3 vs. MDD CRP <1; MDD CRP >3 vs. controls; MDD CRP 1–3 vs. controls

CCL2

Mean expression levels ± SD (95% CI)

n = 59

1.14 ± 0.16 (1.09–1.18)

n = 33

1.09 ± 0.19 (1.02–1.15)

n = 36

1.15 ± 0.17 (1.09–1.20)

n = 40

1.03 ± 0.10 (0.99–1.06)

F = 5.31, p = 0.002

MDD CRP >3 vs. controls; MDD CRP <1 vs. controls

F = 5.13, p = 0.002

MDD CRP >3 vs. controls; MDD CRP <1 vs. controls

CXCL12

Mean expression levels ± SD (95% CI)

n = 59

1.01 ± 0.20 (0.95–1.06)

n = 33

1.02 ± 0.15 (0.97–1.08)

n = 36

1.08 ± 0.20 (1.01–1.14)

n = 40

1.06 ± 0.25 (0.90–1.14)

F = 1.16, p = 0.328

F = 2.82, p = 0.041

MDD CRP >3 vs. MDD CRP <1

FKBP5

Mean expression levels ± SD (95% CI)

n = 59

1.23 ± 0.12 (1.20–1.26)

n = 33

1.20 ± 0.13 (1.16–1.25)

n = 36

1.26 ± 0.14 (1.21–1.31)

n = 40

1.04 ± 0.19 (0.97–1.10)

F = 19.37, p < 0.001

Controls vs. others

F = 16.72, p < 0.001

Controls vs. others

Mean expression levels ± SD (95% CI)

n = 59

0.896 ± 0.14 (0.86–0.93)

n = 33

0.899 ± 0.12 (0.86–0.94)

n = 36

0.901 ± 0.13 (0.86–0.94)

n = 40

1.05 ± 0.08 (1.02–1.08)

F = 16.22, p < 0.001

Controls vs. others

F = 18.21, p < 0.001

Controls vs. others

IL-1-beta

Mean expression levels ± SD (95% CI)

n = 59

1.23 ± 0.18 (1.19–1.28)

n = 33

1.26 ± 0.26 (1.17–1.35)

n = 36

1.28 ± 0.31 (1.18–1.39)

n = 40

1.07 ± 0.09 (1.04–1.10)

F = 7.87, p < 0.001

Controls vs. others

F = 6.37, p < 0.001

Controls vs. others

IL-6

Mean expression levels ± SD (95% CI)

n = 58

1.28 ± 0.20 (1.23–1.33)

n = 33

1.27 ± 0.19 (1.21–1.34)

n = 35

1.25 ± 0.14 (1.20–1.30)

n = 38

1.06 ± 0.07 (1.03–1.08)

F = 16.44, p < 0.001

Controls vs. others

F = 15.40, p < 0.001

Controls vs. others

ISG15

Mean expression levels ± SD (95% CI)

n = 59

1.01 ± 0.25 (0.95–1.08)

n = 33

0.99 ± 0.31 (0.88–1.10)

n = 36

1.03 ± 0.26 (0.94–1.12)

n = 40

0.99 ± 0.24 (0.91–1.06)

F = 0.27, p = 0.849

F = 0.11, p = 0.956

MIF

Mean expression levels ± SD (95% CI)

n = 59

1.236 ± 0.20 (1.18–1.29)

n = 33

1.242 ± 0.17 (1.18–1.30)

n = 36

1.243 ± 0.15 (1.19–1.29)

n = 40

1.00 ± 0.14 (0.96–1.05)

F = 19.11, p < 0.001

Controls vs. others

F = 19.75, p < 0.001

Controls vs. others

P2RX7

Mean expression levels ± SD (95% CI)

n = 59

1.15 ± 0.36 (1.05–1.24)

n = 33

1.10 ± 0.29 (1.00–1.20)

n = 36

1.12 ± 0.32 (1.01–1.23)

n = 40

1.03 ± 0.26 (0.95–1.12)

F = 1.07, p = 0.364

F = 1.09, p = 0.357

SGK1

Mean expression levels ± SD (95% CI)

n = 59

1.10 ± 0.13 (1.07–1.14)

n = 33

1.06 ± 0.11 (1.02–1.10)

n = 36

1.13 ± 0.14 (1.08–1.18)

n = 40

1.06 ± 0.08 (1.03–1.09)

F = 3.22, p = 0.024

Trend: MDD CRP >3 vs. MDD CRP 1–3; MDD CRP >3 vs. controls

F = 4.03, p = 0.009

MDD CRP >3 vs. MDD CRP 1–3; MDD CRP >3 vs. controls

STAT1

Mean expression levels ± SD (95% CI)

n = 59

1.17 ± 0.18 (1.12–1.21)

n = 31

1.14 ± 0.18 (1.08–1.21)

n = 36

1.20 ± 0.15 (1.15–1.25)

n = 40

1.06 ± 0.18 (1.00–1.11)

F = 4.78, p = 0.003

MDD CRP >3 vs. controls; MDD CRP <1 vs. controls

F = 4.69, p = 0.004

MDD CRP >3 vs. controls; MDD CRP <1 vs. controls

TNF-alpha

Mean expression levels ± SD (95% CI)

n = 59

1.28 ± 0.11 (1.25–1.31)

n = 33

1.30 ± 0.13 (1.25–1.34)

n = 36

1.31 ± 0.11 (1.28–1.35)

n = 40

1.06 ± 0.17 (1.00–1.11)

F = 32.25, p < 0.001

Controls vs. others

F = 32.06, p < 0.001

Controls vs. others

USP18

Mean expression levels ± SD (95% CI)

n = 59

1.01 ± 0.20 (0.96–1.06)

n = 33

1.00 ± 0.22 (0.92–1.08)

n = 36

1.07 ± 0.24 (0.99–1.15)

n = 40

0.99 ± 0.25 (0.91–1.07)

F = 1.01, p = 0.392

F = 0.67, p = 0.569

Post hoc analyses use Bonferroni correction (specific groups reported have statistically different mean scores (larger or smaller) compared with others). Covariates are sex, age and BMI. Significant tests (p < 0.05) are in bold; trends (0.05 < p < 0.09) in italics.

A2M alpha-2-macroglobulin, AQP4 aquaporin 4, CCL2 C-C motif chemokine ligand 2, CXCL12 C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 12, CRP C-reactive protein, FKBP5 FK506 binding protein 51, GR glucocorticoid receptor, IL interleukin, ISG15 interferon-stimulated gene 15, MIF macrophage inhibiting factor, P2RX7 P2X purinoceptor 7, SGK1 serum/glucocorticoid regulated kinase 1, STAT1 signal transducer and activator of transcription 1, TNF tumour necrosis factor, USP18 ubiquitin specific peptidase 18, CI confidence interval, SD standard deviation, F ANOVA and ANCOVA F value.