Compared with normal controls (NC), there was decreased VEGFR2 content in PSD (FBonferroni = −489.29, standard error (SE) = 68.44, P < 0.05, 95%confidence interval (CI), −672.21~-306.37), stroke without depression (Non-PSD) (FBonferroni = −373.62, SE = 67.22, P < 0.05, 95%CI, −553.29~-193.95) and MDD group (FBonferroni = −423.01, SE = 68.44, P < 0.05, 95%CI, −605.93~-240.09), but increased PIGF protein in PSD (FDunnett T3 = 6.48, SE = 0.96, P < 0.05, 95%CI, 3.92~9.04) and Non-PSD groups (FDunnett T3 = 3.93, SE = 0.94, P < 0.05, 95%CI, 1.42~6.44). This evidence concerns the gene PIGF and major depressive disorder.