CXCL8 and infection: Pre-incubation with either HCMV variant for 24 h or 72 h before infection with A. fumigatus significantly and time-dependently suppressed gene expression and secretion of key cytokines such as CXCL8, VEGFA, IL-1α, IL-1β, IFN-γ, and TNF-α (Fig. 5).