Figure 2. CD8⁺ T cell abundance increases in the VT tissues of individuals with BV.

Flow cytometry was used to quantify the proportions of T cells within different tissue sites as indicated. (a) The frequency of CD3⁺ among the total CD45⁺ population in ectocervix (CX), vaginal tract (VT), and peripheral mononuclear blood cells (PBMC) samples in BV− and BV+ individuals. The frequency of Tconv (CD3⁺CD4⁺CD25⁻ cells) (b) and CD3⁺CD8⁺ (c) among the total CD45⁺ population in CX, VT, and PBMC samples in BV− and BV+ individuals. The frequency of Tconv (d) and CD8⁺ (e) among the total CD3⁺ population in CX, VT, and PBMC samples in BV− and BV+ individuals. Adjusted rank regression T test performed to compare frequencies in each tissue between BV− and BV+ individuals. Adjusted p-value displayed when p ≤ 0.05, and the p-value is labeled “ns” for not significant when adjusted p > 0.05.