In addition, using the Luminex cytokine assay, we observed higher concentrations of CCL2, CCL3, CCL4, TNF-α and IL-6 in the conditioned media from AATD macrophages (n = 6) as compared to normal macrophages under resting conditions, p < 0.05–0.0005 (Fig. 1F). This evidence concerns the gene IL6 and alpha 1-antitrypsin deficiency.