The third list of genes (List3) consists of 116 unique genes (185 transcripts, Additional file 5) for which the expression was found to be correlated to the level of cortisol at t=+4. This time point was chosen as the peak of plasma cortisol concentration after LPS (Fig. 1). The most significant functions are: cellular function and maintenance – function of blood cells (30 genes); cellular movement, immune cell trafficking – leucocyte migration (35 genes); lymphoid tissue structure and development, tissue morphology – quantity of lymphatic system cells (34 genes); cellular function and maintenance – function of leucocytes (27 genes); hematological system development and function, tissue morphology – quantity of leucocytes (36 genes); cellular movement, hematological system development and function, immune cell trafficking – cell movement of leucocytes (32 genes); immunological disease – systemic autoimmune syndrome (39,374 genes) (Additional file 6).