Differential expression of WNT ligands and cytokines in whole blood of patients with septic shock. Gene expression was determined in whole blood, using quantitative polymerase chain reaction, and is depicted for each individual. Genes are grouped according to expression patterns compared with healthy controls. (A-B) Elevated or equivalent expression in the majority of patients. (C-D) Equivalent or diminished expression in the majority of patients. (E) No discernable difference between groups. Differences in the distribution of gene expression between healthy controls and patients with septic shock were determined by unpaired nonparametric Kolmogorov-Smirnov comparison: *P < .05, **P < .01, ***P < .001, ****P < .001; and regression analysis of means: ^#P < .05, ^##P < .01, ^###P < .0001. Expression of the 7 WNT genes not depicted here was below the detection limit of the assay.