CASP3 gene expression and the role of caspase 3 in the pathogenesis of depressive disorders

• Published in: BMC psychiatry Vol. 23; no. 1; pp. 1 - 7
• Main Authors: Bliźniewska-Kowalska, Katarzyna, Gałecki, Piotr, Szemraj, Janusz, Su, Kuan-Pin, Chang, Jane Pei-Chen, Gałecka, Małgorzata
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London BioMed Central Ltd 06.09.2023; BioMed Central; BMC
• Subjects: Analysis; Apoptosis; Care and treatment; CASP3; Caspase 3; Depression; Depression, Mental; Development and progression; Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay; Enzymes; Gender; Gene expression; Generalized linear models; Genes; Genetic aspects; Genetic research; Major depressive disorder; Mental depression; Mental disorders; Messenger RNA; Neurogenesis; Pathogenesis; Proteins; Psychiatry; Traumatic brain injury; Poland; United States > US
• ISSN: 1471-244X; 1471-244X
• DOI: 10.1186/s12888-023-05153-5

Background The aim of our study was to evaluate the expression of the CASP3 gene at both mRNA and protein levels in patients with depressive disorders and to determine the impact of caspase 3 in the pathogenesis of depression; Methods A total of 290 subjects, including 190 depressed patients and 100 healthy controls, participated in the study. Socio-demographic and clinical data were collected, and the severity of depressive symptoms was assessed using the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale. Venous blood was collected and gene expression was evaluated using RT-PCR and ELISA at the mRNA and protein levels, respectively; Results The expression of the CASP3 gene was significantly lower in depressed patients compared to healthy controls at both the mRNA and protein levels. Additionally, a positive correlation was observed between CASP3 gene expression and disease duration as well as the number of depressive episodes; Conclusions Further studies are needed to investigate the role of caspase 3 in depressive disorders. Keywords: CASP3, Caspase 3, Depression, Gene expression, Major depressive disorder