Fig 2: Leptin receptor expression is decreased in CD4+ T cells from obese PLWH compared to lean PLWH. PBMCs from obese and lean PLWH, as well obese HIV negative controls, were stimulated with anti-CD3/CD28/CD49d for 2 days. (A) Representative flow gating of leptin receptor (LepR) surface expression in CD4+ T cells following activation. (B) Quantification of the percentage of LepR+CD4+ T cells. Relationship between percentage of LepR+CD4+ cells and (C) plasma leptin levels or (D) by BMI. In (B), Mann-Whitney tests were used to compare obese and lean PLWH, or obese PLWH and obese HIV negative controls. n = 8-9 persons per group. *p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Data shows one representative experiment repeated three times. n.s. means not statistically significant. In (C, D), Spearman’s rank correlations were conducted for plasma leptin and BMI measurements.

Fig 3: Ki67 expression is increased in CD4+ T cells from obese PLWH compared to lean PLWH. PBMCs from obese and lean PLWH, as well as HIV negative obese controls, were stimulated with anti-CD3/CD28/CD49d for 2 days. (A) Representative flow gating of Ki67+CD4+ T cells and (B) Quantification of the percentage of Ki67+CD4+ T cells. Mann-Whitney tests were used to compare obese and lean PLWH, or obese PLWH and obese HIV negative controls. n = 5-6 persons per group. *p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Data shows one representative experiment repeated three times. n.s. means not statistically significant.