Crucially, Vesicle-associated membrane protein (VAMP) 8, (VAMP)2, Syntaxin-16 and Synaptosomal-associated protein 23 were identified as key candidates with the potential to distinguish sepsis from septic shock.<h4>Conclusions</h4>These observed proteomic changes could inform the future biomarker identification for sepsis severity stratification. The gene discussed is STX16; the disease is Sepsis.