FIG 3.
Reduced in vitro function is observed for AC Nef clones. Nef CD4 and HLA class I downregulation functions were assessed in ≥3 replicates, using flow cytometry. (A and B) Representative flow cytometry plots display relative levels of downregulation of CD4 (A) and HLA class I (B) for CEM-A*02+ cells transfected with NefSF2 (positive control) or ΔNef (negative control) or for one participant-derived Nef clone. The x axis (GFP+) indicates transfected cells, and the y axis indicates surface expression of CD4 or HLA class I molecules. (C and D) Scatter plots depict normalized CD4 (C) or HLA class I (D) downregulation activities in representative Nef clones from AC (n = 10, red) compared to downregulation activities in those from AP (n = 50, blue). A dashed line (---) in each panel illustrates normalized activity of 1.0, which represents the function of NefSF2. Values below 1.0 indicate lower function relative to NefSF2, while values above 1.0 indicate higher Nef function.