Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 26, 2026
Author Spotlight: Engineering Molecular Tools for Disease Detection and Imaging
Published on: December 8, 2023
Four serum microRNAs identified as diagnostic biomarkers of sepsis
Hui-juan Wang1, Peng-jun Zhang, Wei-jun Chen
1Department of Respiratory Medicine, Hainan Branch of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Sanya, Hainan Province, China.
Background:
Serum microRNAs (miRNAs) can be used as biomarkers for many kinds of diseases, and some are even better than current indicators. The aim of this study was to investigate a diagnostic role for serum miRNAs in sepsis patients.
Methods:
We recruited 166 patients with sepsis and 24 normal controls. Blood samples for these patients were obtained upon their admission in intensive care units of the Chinese PLA General Hospital. The expression levels of miR-223, miR-15b, miR-483-5p, miR-499-5p, miR-122, and miR-193b* were determined by quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction assays.
Results:
Expression levels of miR-223 were significantly higher in patients with mild sepsis (p < 0.001) and patients with severe sepsis and septic shock (p < 0.001) than in normal controls, and levels of miR-499-5p, miR-122, and miR-193b* were significantly lower than in normal controls. In addition, only miR-223 (p = 0.035) and miR-499-5p (p < 0.001) were significantly different between patients with mild sepsis and patients with severe sepsis and septic shock. miR-499-5p had the highest area under a receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.686 (95% confidence interval, 0.592-0.779). In addition, Sequential Organ Failure Assessment scores (p < 0.001), Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II scores (p < 0.001), and procalcitonin levels (p < 0.001) also could distinguish a mild sepsis group from a severe sepsis and septic shock group. In a binary logistic regression model, only miR-499-5p and Sequential Organ Failure Assessment scores had good diagnostic values to distinguish between mild sepsis and severe sepsis and septic shock.
Conclusion:
Four serum miRNAs were identified as novel biomarkers of sepsis.
Level Of Evidence:
II, diagnostic study.
Insights
Serum microRNAs (miRNAs) show promise as sepsis biomarkers. MiR-499-5p and miR-223 levels differed significantly between mild and severe sepsis, with miR-499-5p demonstrating diagnostic potential.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Molecular Biology
- Clinical Diagnostics
Background:
- Serum microRNAs (miRNAs) are emerging biomarkers with potential to outperform existing indicators for various diseases.
- Sepsis diagnosis and severity assessment remain critical clinical challenges.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the diagnostic role of specific serum miRNAs in patients with sepsis.
- To identify novel serum miRNA biomarkers for differentiating sepsis severity.
Main Methods:
- Quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was used to measure serum levels of six miRNAs (miR-223, miR-15b, miR-483-5p, miR-499-5p, miR-122, miR-193b*) in 166 sepsis patients and 24 healthy controls.
- Diagnostic accuracy was assessed using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis and binary logistic regression.
Main Results:
- Expression levels of miR-223 were elevated in sepsis patients compared to controls, while miR-499-5p, miR-122, and miR-193b* were decreased.
- Significant differences in miR-223 and miR-499-5p levels were observed between mild sepsis and severe sepsis/septic shock groups.
- miR-499-5p exhibited the highest area under the ROC curve (0.686) for distinguishing sepsis severity. Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) scores and procalcitonin also differentiated severity.
Conclusions:
- Four serum miRNAs were identified as potential novel biomarkers for sepsis.
- miR-499-5p and SOFA scores demonstrated significant diagnostic value in differentiating mild from severe sepsis.
Related Concept Videos
01:24Serum Studies: Renal Function Tests
01:22MicroRNAs
01:22MicroRNAs
01:20Blood Studies for Cardiovascular System I: Cardiac Biomarkers
The essential diagnostic tools for detecting myocardial necrosis and monitoring individuals suspected of having acute coronary syndrome (ACS) include:
Troponins
Troponins, particularly cardiac troponins I and T, are the most precise and sensitive markers of myocardial injury. They are detectable within 4-6 hours of myocardial injury and remain...
01:14Identifying Statistically Significant Differences: The F-Test
01:30Serum Laboratory Studies, Stool Test, Breath Test