Meta-analyses have linked MDD to increased levels of pro-inflammatory markers, including C-reactive protein, and interleukin-6.43, 44 In NESDA, previous enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay-based assessments of inflammatory markers suggested that depressed males had higher C-reactive protein levels and marginally higher interleukin-6 levels than their non-depressed counterparts.45 We now observed associations of cMDD with other small cytokines, such as interleukin-12p40, MIF and GROa, which is consistent with literature suggestive of inflammatory dysregulation in MDD. Here, CXCL1 is linked to major depressive disorder.