FIG. 1.

HIV Gag-specific CD4⁺ T-cell responses in rectal mucosa (A to C) and peripheral blood (D to F). Panels A and D show the total percentages of CD4⁺ T cells capable of producing IFN-γ, IL-2, MIP-1β, and/or TNF-α in response to HIV Gag stimulation in rectal mucosa (EC versus subjects on HAART, P = 0.045) (A) and peripheral blood (D). Panels B and C show significant differences in CD4⁺ T-cell cytokine/chemokine expression in rectal mucosa between groups: IFN-γ (EC versus NC, P = 0.031; EC versus subjects on HAART, P = 0.035; VC versus NC, P = 0.0005; VC versus subjects on HAART, P = 0.004) (B); MIP-1β (EC versus NC, P = 0.004; EC versus subjects on HAART, P = 0.016; VC versus NC, P = 0.012) (C). Panels E and F show significant differences in CD4⁺ T-cell cytokine expression in peripheral blood between groups: IL-2 (EC versus NC, P = 0.008; EC versus subjects on HAART, P = 0.018; VC versus NC, P = 0.003; VC versus subjects on HAART, P = 0.001) (E); TNF-α (VC versus NC, P = 0.019; VC versus subjects on HAART, P = 0.006) (F). Horizontal bars represent the median response for each group. *, P < 0.05; **, P < 0.01; ***, P < 0.001.