Fig. 6: IL-18Rα^lo influenza-specific CD8 T cells are KLRG1^hi exhibit increased production of cytotoxic effectors.

a C57BL/6 mice were infected with 2 × 10⁴ pfu of A/HKx31, and IL-18Rα^hi (orange) and IL-18Rα^lo (blue) influenza tetramer-specific CD8 T cells were analysed on 10 dpi. b Representative histograms (left) showing the expression of Eomes and TCF1 in IL-18Rα^hi and IL-18Rα^lo D^bNP₃₆₆-specific CD8 T cells. gMFI values shown on the right. Representative FACS plots and graphs comparing the frequency of IL-18Rα^hi and IL-18Rα^lo tetramer-specific cells expressing (c) KLRG1 and (d) NRP1. e CX3CR1 expression was compared between tetramer-specific IL-18Rα^hi and IL-18Rα^lo cells. Representative populations showing expression of f granzyme A, g granzyme B and h perforin compared between IL-18Rα^hi and IL-18Rα^lo groups. i Frequencies of IL-18Rα^hi and IL-18Rα^lo tetramer-specific CD8 T cells expressing cytotoxic molecules in the lungs. Data show pooled D^bPA₂₂₄ and D^bNP₃₆₆ specificities. j gMFI of cytotoxic mediators expressed by IL-18Rα^hi and IL-18Rα^lo tetramer-specific CD8 T cells in the lungs. Data show pooled D^bPA₂₂₄ and D^bNP₃₆₆ specificities. k Polyfunctional profiles (granzyme A, granzyme B, perforin) of pooled tetramer-specific IL-18Ra^lo and IL-18Ra^hi CD8 T cells in the lungs and spleen. Data were analysed via permutation test. l Volcano plot summarising differences in expression of all transcription factors, surface markers, and cytotoxic effectors (total n = 68 parameters) analysed. Data were analysed via multiple paired t-test with Holm-Sidak’s correction for multiple comparisons. The horizontal dotted line is equivalent to p = 0.05 and the vertical lines denote a log₂(fold change) of ±0.5. For (a–l), data were analysed using a two-tailed paired t-test where n = 7–9 mice per group. Data shown are from two independent repeats.