Longitudinal analysis of plasma CXCL11 levels and CXCR7 expression by blood B-cells of HIV-infected individuals.

<p>(A) Plasma concentrations (pg/ml) of CXCL11 in rapid (left panel), classic (middle panel) and slow progressors (right panel). The same HIV-negative values are used as a control for all three panels. Frequencies of B-cells expressing CXCR7 (left y axis) and levels of CXCR7 surface expression (geometric mean fluorescence intensity -geoMFI) (right y axis) by (B) total, (C) mature activated, (D) resting switched memory, (E) ‘precursor’ marginal zone (MZ)-like, (F) ‘mature’ MZ-like and (G) transitional immature (TI) B-cells of rapid (left panel), classic (middle panel) and slow progressors (right panel). The same HIV-negative values are used as a control for all three panels. Data are expressed as percentages of CXCR7 expressing-cells and intensity of surface expression within each B-cell population. Plasma concentrations and receptor frequencies were compared using the Wilcoxon signed rank test and the Mann-Whitney U test for pairwise comparison of different phases of infection within each groups and between study groups, respectively. Data shown are mean ± SEM. Significance for percentages are expressed by * p < 0.05; ** p < 0.001; *** p < 0.0001 and intensity of surface expression by # p < 0.05; ## p < 0.001; ### p < 0.0001 when compared to HIV-negative individuals. ¤ p < 0.05 for pairwise comparisons of percentages. PI, postinfection; ART, antiretroviral therapy.