When compared to CT-PMCs, 22L-PMCs showed upregulation in expression of proinflammatory genes (Tnfa, Il1α, Il1β, Il10, Ccl2, Ccl4, Ccl6, Ccl9, Ccl12, Aif1), the genes involved in innate immune response (C1qa, Tlr2) along with P2ry12, a microglial homeostatic gene which was found to be upregulated in prion diseases (Additional file 3: Figure S3D) [50]. This evidence concerns the gene AIF1 and prion disease.