Multiplex measurement of cytokine secretion
GM-CSF, IFN-ɣ, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, TNF, IFN-ɑ2, MIP-1β, IL-12, IL-15 and IL-18 were measured in serum, diluted 1:4, from the first four time-points (days 0, 7, 14, and 30) from each study participant using a pre-designed 8-plex assay with a custom-designed 5 single-plex assay Bio-Plex Pro Human Cytokine Assay (Bio-Rad), according to the manufacturer’s instructions.