Fig. 3

Increased pyroptosis among mucosal-associated invariant T (MAIT) cells is associated with MAIT-cell loss and disease progression in combined antiretroviral therapy (cART)-naive patients. a Representative FACS plots from one HC, one EC, one TP with a CD4⁺ T cell count ≥ 350 cells/µl, and another TP with CD4⁺ T cell count < 350 cells/µl showing FLICA-caspase-1⁺ MAIT-cells. b Pooled data showing the frequencies of FLICA-caspase-1⁺ MAIT cells from HCs (hollow circles, n = 33), ECs (diamonds, n = 15), TPs (solid circles, total n = 69, CD4⁺ T cell count ≥ 350 cells/µl subgroup n = 34, CD4⁺ T cell count < 350 cells/µl subgroup n = 35). c The relationship between FLICA-caspase-1⁺ MAIT cell frequencies and MAIT cell counts in TPs (n = 69). d Correlations between FLICA-caspase-1⁺ MAIT cell frequencies and frequencies of CD38^highHLA-DR⁺–expressing CD4⁺ T cells (top panel) and CD38^highHLA-DR⁺-expressing CD8⁺ T cells (bottom panel) in TPs (n = 69). e Correlation analysis between FLICA-caspase-1⁺ MAIT cells and plasma sCD14 levels (top panel) or I-FABP levels (bottom panel) in TPs (n = 69). f Pooled data showing frequencies of FLICA-caspase-1⁺ cells in CD4⁺ MAIT cells in the above four groups (top panel). Correlation between plasma HIV-1 viral load and frequencies of caspase-1 expression in CD4⁺ MAIT cells in TPs (n = 69, bottom panel). Each symbol represents a single individual. Data are expressed as M (Q₁, Q₃). Associations were evaluated by using Spearman rank correlation test. Mann–Whitney U test (b and f). Spearman’s correlation test (c, d, e and f). P-value and Spearman’s Rho value are shown. ^**P < 0.01, ^***P < 0.001, ^****P < 0.0001, ns non-signifcant. HC healthy control, EC elite controller, TP treatment-naive patient, NA not available, FSC-H forward scatter-height, FLICA fluorescently labeled inhibitor of caspases, HLA human leukocyte antigen, sCD14 soluble CD14, I-FABP intestinal fatty acid-binding protein, HIV human immunodeficiency virus