Figure 4.

Temporal evolution of CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ T cell cytokine profiles in response to spike and SEB stimuli. (A, B) CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ T-cell cytokine responses to spike in the PwMS (n=19) longitudinally sampled after 6 months from the first vaccine dose (T2) and after 4–6 weeks from the booster dose (T3). Graphs show cytokine production, in terms of total Th1 and single cytokines (IFN-γ, TNF-α and IL-2) within the CD4⁺ (A) and CD8⁺ (B) T-cell compartments. (C, D) CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ T-cell responses to SEB in the PwMS followed over time. Graphs show the total Th1 and single cytokine (IFN-γ, TNF-α and IL-2) producing cells within the CD4⁺ (C) and CD8⁺ (D) T-cell compartments. Frequencies were reported after subtracting the cytokine production of the unstimulated condition. Statistical analysis was performed using Wilcoxon matched pairs signed rank test to compare the frequency of the T cells expressing IFN-γ, IL-2 or TNF-α between T2 and T3. P values <0.05 were considered significant. Red lines indicate the medians and each dot represents a different PwMS. IFN-γ, interferon gamma; IFN-β, interferon beta; PwMS, patients with multiple sclerosis; SEB, staphylococcal enterotoxin B.