Fig. 2

Concentrations of nine serum cytokines in patients with cyst type CE1-CE5 in comparison with the normal controls (NOR). Cytokines Th1-type IL-2, Th17-type IL-17A, and inflammatory cytokines IL-1β, IL-1Rα, TNF-α, chemokines IL-8, MIP-1α, MIP-1β and growth factor G-CSF were significantly elevated in patients with cyst type CE1 (early stage), compared to NOR, and then declined to the normal level in patients with CE4 and CE5. Bars represent the mean values ± standard error (SE). Statistical analysis was performed by one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) with Bonferroni correction test vs normal control (NOR) [IL-2: F_{(4, 10)} = 10.67, P = 0.0012; IL-17A: F_{(4, 10)} = 10.67, P = 0.0012; IL-1β: F_{(4, 10)} = 2219.00, P <  0.0001; IL-1Rα: F_{(4, 10)} = 10.60, P = 0.0013; TNF-α: F_{(4, 10)} = 13.68, P = 0.0005; IL-8: F_{(4, 10)} = 60.66, P < 0.0001; MIP-1α: F_{(4, 10)} = 149.60, P < 0.0001; MIP-1β: F_{(4, 10)} = 12.62, P = 0.0006; G-CSF: F_{(4, 10)} = 25.15, P < 0.0001]. **P < 0.01, ***P < 0.001