IL-2 stimulation of NK cells, CD3⁺CD56⁺ lymphocytes, and T cells enhances VZV infection.

<p>(A) Healthy human donor PBMCs were infected with VZV by cell-associated infection with or without IL-2 (200 U/ml) for 2 days, then analysed by flow cytometry. Plots show surface VZV gE:gI expression from one representative donor and graphs show frequency of live gE:gI⁺ NK cells (CD3^–CD56⁺) (top panels), CD3⁺CD56⁺ lymphocytes (middle panels), and T cells (CD3⁺CD56^–) (bottom panels). Symbols represent individual donors consistent across lymphocyte populations, and bars indicate mean (n = 8). ***p < 0.001, ****p < 0.0001 (two-tailed paired t test). (B & C) Healthy human donor CD56⁺-selected lymphocytes were infected with VZV by cell-associated infection with or without IL-2 (200 U/ml) for 2 days, then analysed by flow cytometry. Plots show surface gE:gI expression from one representative donor and graphs show frequency of live gE:gI⁺ NK cells (B) or CD3⁺CD56⁺ lymphocytes (C). Symbols represent individual donors, consistent across (B & C) (n = 7). *p < 0.05 (two-tailed Wilcoxon matched-pairs signed rank test).