Sanne Hoeks

TABLE OF CONTENTS Chapter 1 General Introduction 7 Chapter 2 Critical role for programmed death 1 signalling and protein kinase B in augmented regulatory T-cell induction in cord blood 25 Chapter 3 Defective T H 17 development in human neonatal T cells involves reduced RORC2 mRNA content 33 Chapter 4 T H 17 differentiation capacity develops within first three months of life 45 Chapter 5 White matter injury in neonatal viral encephalitis is associated with restrained systemic inflammation 59 Chapter 6 Cytokine assays: an assessment of the preparation and treatment of blood and tissue samples 79 Chapter 7 General Discussion 101 Chapter 8 Summary Samenvatting 125 127 Chapter 9 List of publications About the author Acknowledgements 131 135 139