Table 1 Description of genes

Cytokines & chemokines

IL-12 p35

Together with p40 forms the cytokine IL-12 involved in Th1 polarization

[4, 22]

IL-12 p40

Together with p35 forms the cytokine IL-12 involved in Th1 polarization

[4, 22]

IL-23 p19

Together with p40 forms cytokine IL-23 in DCs which augments Th1 and Th17 responses

[26, 32, 36]

TNF-α

General pro-inflammatory cytokine mediating local inflammation. Its expression is dependent on NF-kβ signalling

[17]

CXCL-10 (IP-10)

Chemotactic factor for T cells. Its expression is dependent on the IFN-responsive gene pathway

[35, 45]

CCL22

Chemokine involved in recruitment of Th2 effector cells

[27]

TGF-β

Cytokine with anti-inflammatory properties, by inhibiting activity and function of both T cells and DCs

[34, 42]

IL-10

Cytokine that potently suppresses immune responses and in particular DCs and T cell responses, by downregulating pro-inflammatory effectors

[34, 37]

Toll like receptor signalling

TLR2

Receptor of innate immunity for recognition of mainly lipid containing compounds

[19, 43]

TLR4

Receptor of innate immunity for recognition of LPS

[19, 43]

MyD88

Proximal, most common adaptor of TLR signalling, shared by all TLR except TLR3

[24, 43]

NOD2

Intracellular peptidoglycan receptor implicated in activation of NF-kB but also in inhibition of TLR2 signalling

[31, 38, 44]

TRIF (TICAM1)

TLR3 and TLR4 specific adaptor which mediates the MyD88-independent pathway preferentially leading to induction of IFN-responsive genes

[30, 46]

Tollip

Inhibitor of IRAK activity and thereby TLR signalling

[48]

SOCS-1

Inhibitor of LPS-TLR4 signalling pathway as well as TLR induced JAK/STAT signalling. Potential negative regulator of Th1 responses

[20, 47]

SOCS-3

Inhibitor of JAK/STAT signalling but also positive regulator of APC function by suppression of STAT3, which normally inhibits TLR signalling.

[20, 47]

Modulators of T cell activation & polarization

Intracellular

DUSP2

Phosphatase modulating MAP kinase signalling balance

[33]

IDO

Enzyme that catabolizes tryptophan to kynurenines, which are able to induce T cell apoptosis and inhibition of proliferation. Expression induced by IFN-γ

[28]

c-Fos

Transcription factor activated by MAP kinases which induces IL-10 production and is involved in DC mediated Th2/anti-inflammatory responses

[15, 18]

Membrane bound

PD-L1 (B7-H1)

Costimulatory molecule and ligand for PD-1 on T-cells. It has inhibitory function in T cell proliferation and cytokine production. Might be stimulatory for Th2 response

[25, 29, 40]

PD-L2 (B7-DC)

Costimulatory molecule and ligand for PD-1 on T-cells. Reported to have synergic activity with other costimulatory molecules as well as inhibitory activity on T cell activation

[25, 29, 40]

LIR-7 (ILT-1)

Receptor with unknown ligand(s) with possible immune suppressive properties, but also implicated in immune activation

[23, 41]

Jagged-2

Ligand for notch-receptor on T cells; influences T cell skewing

[21]

Delta-4

Ligand for notch-receptor on T cells; influences T cell skewing

[21, 39]

Delta-1

Ligand for notch-receptor on T cells; influences T cell skewing

[21]