Serum miR-143 Levels in ICU Patients

To obtain serum miR-143 levels at the time point of admission to the ICU (before any therapeutic intervention), blood was collected using serum monovettes (Sarstedt, Germany), centrifuged for 8 minutes at 2000 g using a Rotixa 50 centrifuge (Hettich, Germany) following standard protocols within the Labordiagnostisches Zentrum (LDZ) of the university clinic (RWTH) Aachen for patient routine care. No further clearance was performed before RNA isolation. After centrifugation, samples were immediately placed on ice and frozen at -80°C until RNA isolation. Interleukin-6 (IL-6), Interleukin-10 (IL-10), TNF, soluble urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (suPAR), Osteopontin, Glucocorticoid-induced TNF receptor ligand (GITRL), and A proliferation-inducing ligand (APRIL) were measured as described previously (e.g., [16 (link)–20 (link)]). All other laboratory markers mentioned within this manuscript were measured as part of clinical routine at the Labordiagnostisches Zentrum (LDZ) of the University Hospital (RWTH) Aachen. Glomerular filtration rates (GFR) were calculated on basis of serum cystatin C levels. ICU mortality was defined as death on ICU; overall mortality included death at the ICU or during the observation period (after discharge from the ICU and hospital).