FIG 7.

TIM-3 blockade improves CTL response in CD8⁺ T cells. Bars show HIV-1 reactivation, expressed as p24 antigen production (n = 10) in different coculture conditions. (A) In the CD4:CD8 cocultures, no significant differences were observed between the p24 antigen values in infected CD4 cells alone and CD4 cells with CD8 cells. However, a significant reduction in the p24 antigen values in the cocultures with an antibody against TIM-3 receptor (anti-TIM-3) at different concentrations (5 μg/ml and 7.5 μg/ml) was observed. No significant differences (NS) were detected with or without the addition of Gal-9 at 2 nM concentration in the coculture. (B) In the CD4:NK cocultures, no significant differences were observed between the p24 antigen values for infected CD4 cells alone and CD4 cells with NK cells. Although not significant, a reduction in the p24 antigen values in the cocultures with anti-TIM-3 at different concentrations (5 μg/ml and 7.5 μg/ml) was observed. No significant differences were detected with and without the addition of Gal-9 at 2 nM in the coculture. (C) In the CD4:CD8:NK cocultures, no significant differences were observed between the p24 antigen values in the infected CD4 cells alone and those in CD4 cells with CD8:NK cells. However, a significant reduction in the p24 antigen values in the cocultures with anti-TIM-3 was observed. No significant differences were detected with and without the addition of Gal-9 at 2 nM in the coculture. Statistical significance was calculated using the Mann-Whitney U test. P values of <0.05 were considered statistically significant. *, P < 0.05; NS, not significant.