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. 2013 May 31;8(5):e64405. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0064405

Figure 1. Variable epitopes are preferentially recognized in early HIV-1-infection.

Figure 1

A total of 123 epitopes identified in 23 subjects with early HIV-1-infection were analyzed according to their CS. (A) Epitopes were plotted against their CS. The HLA genotype of each subject is also shown. CS of each epitope was calculated as the frequency of an exact epitope match in aligned clade-B sequences (bCSp). Each symbol represents an epitope recognized by HIV-specific CD8+ T cells in an individual. Symbols are colored to denote the HLA restriction of the epitope. (B) The percentage of total magnitude of IFN-γ responses directed against epitopes by CS grouping (Friedman, p<0.001). (C) The percentage of total breadth of CD8+ T cell responses directed against epitopes by CS grouping (Friedman, p<0.0001). (B–C) The % of the total magnitude and breadth of CD8+ T cell responses targeting “Variable”, “Relatively Conserved” and “Conserved” epitopes. Individual subjects are denoted by a specific color. Horizontal lines indicate median values; statistical significance was assessed by matched test for 2 groups (Wilcoxon matched-pairs signed rank test) or multiple groups (Friedman test).