Fig 5.

Infection of RMs with vIRF-ko RRV initiates an earlier RRV-specific T cell response. The frequency of RRV-specific T cells within PBMCs was determined after ex vivo stimulation with RRV overnight, followed by surface staining for CD4 and CD8 and intracellular cytokine staining for IFN-γ and TNF-α. IFN-γ single-positive (IFN-γ⁺) and double-positive (IFN-γ⁺/TNF-α⁺) cells are added into the final, calculated response. (A) Responses measured at 7 dpi in CD4 and CD8 T cells were compared via unpaired t test. (B to E) T cell responses measured during the first 63 dpi are represented in graphs containing data from WT_BAC RRV-infected RMs on the left (B and D) and graphs containing data from vIRF-ko RRV-infected RMs on the right (C and E). Data are presented as percentage of RRV-responsive T cells, with baseline and nonspecific (VV) responses subtracted. Median responses are displayed as horizontal lines at each time point. Early time points are boxed to indicate statistical trends and significance and are identical to the data shown in panel A.