Figure 7. Activation profiles of CD8⁺ T cells in hyperacute HIV infection.

(a) Phenotypic analysis of HIV specific tetramer⁺ CD8⁺ cells. The first flow plot is gated on tetramer⁺ cells, the second, third and fourth plots depict tetramer⁺ cells (blue dots) overlaid on total CD8+ cells. Data showing frequencies of tetramer⁺ cells that are (b) Ki67^high, BCL2^low and (c) CD127^high are graphed. Statistical significance was determined using Mann-Whitney and Kruskal Wallis tests. (d) Frequencies of dead CD8⁺ T cells (annexin-V⁺, PI⁺ CD8⁺ cells). Statistical significance was determined using Mann-Whitney test. (e) Frequencies of dead CD4⁺ T cells (annexin-V⁺, PI⁺ CD4⁺ cells) after overnight incubation in R10. Statistical significance was determined using Mann-Whitney test. (f) Flow cytometric data for two donors showing ex vivo expression of annexin V by HIV tetramer⁺ and CMV tetramer⁺ cells at peak activation.