Figure 4. Hyperacute HIV infection induces strong CD8⁺ T cell responses with degranulation potential.

HIV-specific CD8⁺ T cell responses were measured by ICS after overnight incubation with autologous HIV-infected CD4⁺ cells. Uninfected autologous CD4⁺ cells co-cultured with CD8⁺ cells were used as a negative control. (a) Representative flow plots demonstrating CD107a expression on CD8⁺ cells. (b) Upper panel shows CD107a expression on ex vivo CD8+ cells from 14 DFOPV incubated for 12 hours with HIV infected autologous CD4+ T cells. The lower panel shows CD107a expression on CD8⁺ cells from 14 DFOPV incubated in IL-2 containing media for 5 days prior to co-culture with infected autologous CD4⁺ T cells. (c) Proportion of CD8+ cells secreting cytokines following stimulation with HIV infected autologous CD4⁺ cells. Background responses in the uninfected co-culture condition are subtracted. Statistical significance was determined using Mann-Whitney and Kruskal Wallis tests. (d) Comparison between proliferating CD8⁺ T cells and CD107a positive cells at peak activation time points (also see supplementary figures). Statistical significance was determined using Mann-Whitney test. See also Figure S1, S2 and S3