Fig. 2

Immune-related genes differentially expressed in CSF cells and PBMC from RRMS patients grouped according to sex and clinical status. Gene expression levels were measured in CSF cells (a) and PBMC (b) from 31 and 29 RRMS patients, respectively, using PreAmp RT-PCR. The values obtained were compared between patient groups differing for sex (female/male), clinical (relapse/remission), and MRI status (presence/absence of gadolinium-enhancing lesions). Differences between groups were evaluated by Mann-Whitney test; only statistically significant differences (p < 0.0125 to account for multiple comparisons) are shown. The lines inside the boxes represent the median value; boxes extend from the 25th to the 75th percentile, covering the interquartile range (IQR), and whiskers extend from 25th percentile −1.5 IQR to the 75th percentile +1.5 IQR. Maximum outliers outside the whiskers are represented by individual marks