NFKB1 and major depressive disorder: Proinflammatory cytokines (including interleukin-1, interleukin-6, and tumor necrosis factor-α), growth factors such as vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and NF-kB activation are all mediated through the AGE-RAGE signaling pathway, which promotes the onset and severity of depression (48, 49).