2.4  Cytokine assays
Cytokines in bone marrow and peripheral blood were detected by multiplex bead-based flow cytometric immunoassays. Multiplex assay kits for IL-5, TNF-α, IL-2, IL-6, IL-1β, IL-10, IFN-γ, IL-8, IL-17 and IL-12 were purchased from RAISECARE in China. Above cytokines were tested in plasma samples obtained by centrifugation of heparinized bone marrow or peripheral blood from AA and control children.