Levels of cytokines, chemokines, and growth factors
Serum samples from all blood draws were used for evaluation of changes to blood levels of 27 cytokines and chemokines, quantified using Bio-Plex protein arrays (Bio-Rad Laboratories Inc.) and utilizing xMAP technology (Luminex, Austin, TX, USA). The following markers were tested: IL-1β, IL-1ra, IL-2, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-7, IL-8, IL-9, IL-10, IL-12 (p70), IL-13, IL-15, IL-17, Eotaxin, Basic FGF, G-CSF, GM-CSF, IFN-γ, IP-10, MCP-1 (MCAF), MIP-1α, MIP-1β, PDGF-BB, RANTES, TNF-α, and VEGF.