Figure 1. Peg-IFN-α-2b increased CD56^bright NK cell numbers throughout the course of treatment.

(A) Longitudinal analysis of CD3⁻ CD56⁺ NK cell frequency in the SR and NR patients. (B) Absolute numbers of NK cells during Peg-IFN-α-2b therapy and follow-up in the SR and NR patients. (C) NK cell frequencies during Peg-IFN-α-2b therapy and follow-up in the SR and NR patients. (D) Absolute numbers and (E) frequencies of CD56^bright NK cells during Peg-IFN-α-2b therapy and follow-up in the SR and NR patients. Horizontal bars indicate the mean values with the standard error of the mean. Analyses of unpaired data were performed using the Mann-Whitney U-test, and the paired data were analysed with the Wilcoxon matched pairs test. Significant changes are marked with asterisks, *p < 0.05, **p < 0.01, ***p < 0.001, ****p < 0.0001.