MiR-125b but not miR-125a is upregulated and exhibits a trend to correlate with enhanced disease severity, inflammation, and increased mortality in sepsis patients

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the correlation of miR-125a/b expressions with disease risk, progression, and prognosis of sepsis. Methods: MiR-125a/b expressions and inflammatory cytokines were detected by RT-qPCR and ELISA assays in plasma samples from 120 sepsis patients. Besides, blood biochemical indexes, disease severity scores, and in-hospital mortality of sepsis patients were recorded. Meanwhile, miR-125a/b expressions in plasma from 120 health controls (HCs) were also detected by RT-qPCR. Results: MiR-125b was elevated in sepsis patients compared with HCs, and ROC curve revealed that miR-125b could well distinguish sepsis patients from HCs with AUC 0.658. MiR-125b positively correlated with APACHE II score, SOFA score, Scr, CRP, PCT, TNF-α, and IL-6 levels. Most interestingly, miR-125b was greatly decreased in survivors compared with non-survivors, and multivariate analysis revealed that miR-125b independently predicted higher mortality risk in sepsis patients. Besides, miR-125a showed no significant correlation with sepsis risk, disease severity, or prognosis. Conclusion: MiR-125b but not miR-125a is upregulated and exhibits a trend to correlate with enhanced disease severity, inflammation, and increased mortality in sepsis patients.