Extensive serum biomarker analysis in patients with enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli O111-induced hemolytic-uremic syndrome

• We analyzed cytokine profile of serum samples in patients with EHEC induced HUS.
• We used an antibody array that simultaneously detects 174 serum cytokines.
• We identified five biomarkers to predict the severity of HUS.
• These cytokines were IGFBP-2, angiopoietin-2, sIL-6R, sTNFRII, and MMP-3.

Proinflammatory cytokines are related to the pathogenesis of enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli infection and hemolytic-uremic syndrome (HUS). We employed an antibody array that simultaneously detects 174 serum cytokines. We identified five serum biomarkers, namely insulin growth factor-binding protein-2, angiopoietin-2, soluble interleukin-6 receptor, soluble tumor necrosis factor receptor type II, and matrix metalloprotease protein-3 whose levels increased with the development of HUS. Furthermore, the levels of these cytokines were significantly increased in severe HUS compared with mild HUS. These cytokines might play an important role in the pathogenesis of HUS and may also be used to predict the severity of HUS.