Fig. 6.

Loss of peripheral mucosal-associated invariant T (MAIT) cells is associated with poor immunological reconstitution in patients with long-term combined antiretroviral therapy (cART). a Representative FACS plots from one CR and one INR showing MAIT cells. b Pooled data showing MAIT cells percentages and absolute numbers from CRs (hollow squares, n = 28) and INRs (solid squares, n = 15). c Proportion of CD38^highHLA-DR⁺ MAIT cells from CRs and INRs. d Plasma sCD14 levels and I-FABP levels in CRs and INRs. e The relationship between MAIT-cell absolute numbers and plasma sCD14 levels or I-FABP levels in CRs and INRs. f Representative FACS plots from one CR and one INR showing FLICA-caspase-1⁺ MAIT cells. g Pooled data showing frequencies of FLICA-caspase-1⁺ MAIT cells from CRs and INRs. h Percentages of FLICA caspase-1⁺ MAIT cells of PBMCs from CRs (n = 7) and INRs (n = 7) in the presence of indicated stimulations. i Quantification of plasma IL-12p70 and IL-18 in CRs and INRs. Each symbol represents a single individual, and data are expressed as M (Q₁, Q₃). Mann–Whitney U test (b, c, d, g, h and i). Spearman’s correlation test (e). P-value and Spearman’s Rho value are shown. ^*P < 0.05, ^**P < 0.01, ^***P < 0.001, ^****P < 0.0001. CRs complete responders, INRs immunological non-responder, VL viral load, NA not available, sCD14 soluble CD14, I-FABP intestinal fatty acid-binding protein, FSC-H forward scatter-height, FLICA fluorescently labeled inhibitor of caspases, IL-12 interleukin-12, IL-18 interleukin-18