Fig 4. Distribution of cytokine levels, regulatory T cells and HO-1 concentration in SCD patient treatment groups versus healthy controls.

(A) Levels of IL-10, TGFβ, IL-4, IL-6, INFγ and INFγ/IL-10 were assessed by a multiplex assay. (B) Levels of Treg cells were assessed by MFC and HO-1 concentration in cell lysate was evaluated by an ELISA assay. Comparison between SCD combined groups and healthy control groups were assessed by two tailed nonparametric Mann-Whitney test. Comparison between SCD subgroups according to their treatment and the healthy control group were assessed by the nonparametric Kruskal-Wallis analysis of variance, followed by a Dunn’s multiple comparison test. P-value above bar represent comparison to the healthy control group. Other significant associations are shown. HU, Hydroxyurea; CT, Chronic transfusion; No DMT, No Disease modifying therapy. *p<0.05; **p<0.01; ***p<0.005.