Figure 3

The high frequency of ex vivo CD4⁺CD38⁺ polyfunctional T cells is associated with a dysfunctional response to SEA in AD patients. (a) Representative gating strategy for analysis of cytokines and CD38 in CD4⁺ T cells. (b) Frequencies of CD4⁺CD38⁺/CD4⁺CD38⁻ T cells in HC (n = 10) and AD patients (n = 15) in unstimulated condition. Bars represent median values. *p < 0.05. (c,d) PCA of the polyfunctional profile of CD4⁺CD38⁺ and CD4⁺CD38⁻ T cells. Boolean gating was used to calculate the proportions of polyfunctional T cells after SEA stimulation and frequency values were considered for analysis. Each dot represents one subject. PC, principal component.