Table 5 Discription of the functions of down-regulated genes

EOMES

Proteins encoded by EOMES may be necessary for the differentiation of effector CD8 + T cells which are involved in defense against viral infections.

FGFBP2

The encoded protein is a serum protein that is selectively secreted by cytotoxic lymphocytes and may be involved in cytotoxic lymphocyte-mediated immunity.

GNLY

The product of GNLY is a member of the saposin-like protein (SAPLIP) family and is located in the cytotoxic granules of T cells, which are released upon antigen stimulation.

GZMA

The encoded protein is a T cell- and natural killer cell-specific serine protease that may function as a common component necessary for lysis of target cells by cytotoxic T lymphocytes and natural killer cells.

GZMB

The encoded preproprotein is secreted by natural killer (NK) cells and cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) and proteolytically processed to generate the active protease, which induces target cell apoptosis. This protein also processes cytokines and degrades extracellular matrix proteins, and these roles are implicated in chronic inflammation and wound healing.

GZMH

It is reported to be constitutively expressed in the NK (natural killer) cells of the immune system and may play a role in the cytotoxic arm of the innate immune response by inducing target cell death and by directly cleaving substrates in pathogen-infected cells.

IL2RB

The interleukin 2 receptor (IL2RB) is involved in T cell-mediated immune responses and it is primarily expressed in the hematopoietic system.

KLRD1

KLRD1 (CD94) is an antigen preferentially expressed on Natural killer (NK) cells, which are a distinct lineage of lymphocytes that mediate cytotoxic activity and secrete cytokines upon immune stimulation.

PRF1

Protein PRF1 is structurally similar to complement component C9 that is important in immunity. This protein forms membrane pores that allow the release of granzymes and subsequent cytolysis of target cells. Mutations in this gene are associated with a variety of human diseases.

TBX21

TBX21 is the human ortholog of mouse Tbx21/Tbet gene. Studies in mouse show that Tbx21 protein is a Th1 cell-specific transcription factor that controls the expression of the hallmark Th1 cytokine, interferon-gamma (IFNG). Expression of the human ortholog also correlates with IFNG expression in Th1 and natural killer cells, suggesting a role for this gene in initiating Th1 lineage development from naive Th precursor cells.

TGFBR3

TGFBR3 encoded receptor is a membrane proteoglycan that often functions as a co-receptor with other TGF-beta receptor superfamily members.