FIG 4.

Pilot analysis of TRAF1 expression in pentamer⁺/CD8⁺ cells from patients with resolved and persistent infections performed directly ex vivo and after 3 h of specific stimulation. Box plots (A) and representative dot plots (B) from a preliminary analysis show the level of TRAF1 expression in HCV pentamer-binding CD8⁺ cells determined directly ex vivo and after 3 h of specific stimulation in patients with a resolved infection after treatment and patients with persistent infection. Negative control, T cell labeling with the secondary antibody only; MFI, mean fluorescence intensity; NS, nonsignificant; st, stimulation; §, Mann-Whitney U test; ¥, Wilcoxon test.