Cell apoptosis/survival (AnnexinV+7AAD+/BCL-2 labeling) and cell cycle entry (Ki67 expression) of CD31+ and CD31- naïve CD4+ T cells was analyzed directly <i>ex vivo</i> and following 3 and 5 days of <i>in vitro</i> culture with media, interleukin (IL) -7 or CD3/CD28 activator.<h4>Results</h4>In the cross-sectional cohort, naïve CD4+ proportions were lower in chronic HCV infected persons compared to controls and DAA-treated persons, an effect in part attributed to cirrhosis. Here, MKI67 is linked to Cirrhosis.