DUSP2 and Sepsis: Among the upregulated DEGs in E-SEP compared to Y-SEP, we observed inflammation-associated genes, such as FOSB, DUSP1, and JUNB, and aging-associated genes, such as IFN-stimulated genes DDIT4 and DUSP2 (Fig. 3D), thereby indicating an overactive inflammatory response of cDCs in elderly patients with sepsis.