Immune cells influence major depression through metabolites: A Mendelian randomization analysis of bidirectional causality and mediating effects.

OBJECTIVE

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is among the most prevalent and debilitating mental health conditions worldwide. This study aims to investigate the bidirectional causal relationship between immune cells and MDD using Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis and determine whether metabolites mediate this relationship.

METHODS

We compiled and analyzed whole-genome data for 731 immune cell traits, 1091 blood metabolites, 309 metabolic ratios, and disease data from 170,756 individuals with MDD and 329,443 controls. A two-sample, bidirectional MR approach was employed, utilizing MR-Egger, weighted median, inverse variance weighting, simple mode, and weighted mode methods to infer causal relationships between immune cells and MDD. Sensitivity analyses were conducted to ensure the robustness of the results. Additionally, mediator analysis was performed to assess the mediating role of metabolites in the relationship between immune cells and MDD.

RESULTS

MR analysis identified 12 immune cell types, including CD62L- DC, Mo MDSC AC, CD4+ CD8dim leukocytes, CD28+ CD45RA- CD8bright AC, CD25+ IgD+ CD24+, CD27+ IgD+ CD24+, and CD27+ IgD+ CD38- unswitched memory cells, among others. Additionally, 22 blood metabolites were identified, including gamma-glutamylvaline, 3-carboxy-4-methyl-5-propyl-2-furanpropanoate (CMPF), 5-dodecenoate (12:1n7), 1-arachidonylglycerol (20:4), and 1-stearoyl-GPE (18:0). Moreover, 8 metabolite ratios were found to influence the causal effects of MDD. Mediator analysis revealed 19 mediator relationships, and sensitivity analyses indicated no significant abnormalities.

CONCLUSION

Our findings provide evidence for a causal relationship between immune cells and MDD, highlighting the mediating role of metabolites. These results offer new insights into the mechanisms underlying MDD and may contribute to improved prevention, diagnosis, and treatment strategies.