Tim-3 expression is increased on HBV-specific T cells.

<p>HLA-A2+ healthy controls and CHB patients were stained <i>ex vivo</i> with HLA-A2 multimers presenting the CMV-pp65 epitope NLVPMVATV (HLA-A2/NLVP) or a combined panel of 6 HBV-multimers (HLA-A2/core 18–27, envelope 183–191, envelope 348-, envelope 335-,polymerase 455-, polymerase 502-) and with anti-Tim-3 mAb or its isotype. Representative FACS plots from two patients with CHB showing staining for HBV (a) and CMV (b) multimers and Tim-3 expression on gated multimer–specific CD8 T cells compared to an isotype control mAb. (c) Compiled data showing the frequency of virus-specific (multimer+) and global CD8 T cells expressing Tim-3 directly <i>ex vivo</i> in 24 CHB patients. (d) Compiled data showing the frequency of HBV and CMV-specific CD8 T cells expressing Tim-3 directly <i>ex vivo</i> in healthy controls (n = 6), patients with CHB (n = 24) and patients who had resolved HBV (n = 6). (e) <i>Ex-vivo</i> staining in 17 individuals with CHB in whom paired responses could be analysed with both HBV and CMV multimers.