Altered blood cytokines, CD4 T cells, NK and neutrophils in patients with obstructive sleep apnea

•An increase in IL-1β and IL-6 levels in the blood.•A decrease in IFN-γ and the ratio IFN-γ/IL-4 in the blood.•An increase in CD4 T cells associated with increased Ki67 and correlated with IL-1β.•An increased expression of Ki67 in CD8hi and CD8lo NK cells.•Reduced capacity of neutrophils to phagocytose bacteria and activate NADPH oxidase.