TNF and Sepsis: Among the eight DEGs, the expression levels of five upregulated genes, including PYGL, TNF, CYLD, FADD and TLR3, were significantly higher in the sepsis group than in the control group (p < 0.001 for all); additionally, three downregulated genes, including TP53, FASLG and NLRP6, showed significantly lower expression levels in the sepsis group than in the healthy volunteers (p < 0.001 for all) (Table 3).