NK cells subset distribution, NKG2D expression, and polyfunctional index.

(A) Comparison between both MSM groups of NK cells subsets (CD56bright, CD56dim CD16+, CD56dim CD16−) from fresh peripheral blood. The comparison was realized using the Mann–Whitney U-test. Low-risk n = 15, high-risk n = 12. (B) Comparison of percentage of total NK cells (CD3−CD56+CD16− and CD3−CD56+CD16+ PBMCs) expressing Granzyme B, Perforin, IFN-γ, or NKG2D between both MSM groups. The comparison was realized using the Mann–Whitney U-test. Data are presented after background subtraction. Low-risk n = 43, high-risk n = 14. (C) Comparison of the polyfunctional profiles of total NK cells (CD3−CD56+CD16− and CD3−CD56+CD16+ PBMCs) from both MSM groups. The slices of the pies correspond to the proportions of total NK cells expressing 1 (grey), 2 (light blue), 3 (dark blue), or 4 (red) functions, until n simultaneous parameters (n + 1 dimensions) are calculated using the Boolean gating; the results are presented as mean. The permutation analysis conducted in the SPICE platform only included data higher than 0.1% (after background subtraction). (D) INDEX of polyfunctionality (pINDEX) of total NK cells from both MSM groups based on the proportions of cells expressing Granzyme B, Perforin, IFN-γ, and NKG2D; the pINDEX was calculated with Funky Cells software; the comparison was performed using the Mann–Whitney U-test. Low-risk n = 43, high-risk n = 14.