Fig. 4

DN cells display distinctive transcriptional, phenotypic and functional characteristics as compared to the Trm-like CVT CD8+T-cells. Volcano plot showing the genes differentially regulated in the vaginal DN versus the vaginal DP (a) and the vaginal CD69+SP (b) CD8+T-cell populations. c Histograms showing mean frequencies (±SD) of DN, SP, and DP CD8+T-cells expressing CD49a, CD101, CCR5, and PD-1 as determined by flow cytometry. d Mean frequencies (±SD) of the indicated phenotype of CD8+T-cells in blood and vaginal tract (VT) tissue determined by flow cytometry staining. Statistical significance was determined by Mann–Whitney test or a Kruskal–Wallis test with Dunn’s multiple comparisons test. n = 5–8, *p < 0.05, **p < 0.01, ***p < 0.001, and ****p < 0.0001. ND non-detectable. e Histogram showing the mean frequencies (±SD) of different cytokine-producing DN, CD69+ SP, and DN CD8+ T-cells measured by flow cytometry. To test for statistical significance, a Kruskal–Wallis test was performed with Dunn’s multiple comparisons test. f Representative histograms showing granzyme B, IFN-γ, TNF-α, and TGF-β production by the three cell types