Expression of human TIM-1 and TIM-3 on lymphocytes from systemic lupus erythematosus patients.
The T-cell immunoglobulin- and mucin-domain-containing molecules (TIMs) comprise a new family of cell surface molecules expressed on T cells. TIM-3 is expressed on T helper type 1 (Th1) cells and implicated in the pathogenesis of Th1-driven auto- and allo-immune diseases. TIM-1 is suggested to act as a co-stimulatory molecule for all T cells, but with potentially stronger effects on Th2 than Th1 cells and is associated with Th2-related immune diseases. However, the TIM molecules have not been investigated in the systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). In this study, we examined the expression of TIM-1 and TIM-3 on peripheral blood mononuclear cells from SLE patients using quantitative real-time RT-PCR. An increased TIM-1 expression was detected in SLE patients, which correlates with interleukin-10 expression. We also found that there was a significant increase in the expression of TIM-1 in SLE patients with quite active disease (SLE disease activity index > 6), indicating that TIM-1 expression might be related to active clinical phases. In contrast, TIM-3 expression remained normal in SLE patients with low statistical power (34.89%). However, the expression of TIM-3 ligand, galectin-9 increased in SLE patients indicating an enhanced engagement of TIM-3 with its ligand in SLE, which may result in a decreased regulatory T-cell function as shown by the decreased expression of FoxP3 and TGF-beta1 in SLE. These data suggest that TIM-1 and TIM-3/TIM-3L are involved in the pathogenesis of SLE.
Institute of Immunology, Shandong University School of Medicine, Jinan, China.
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Wang
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Meng
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Wang
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Liu
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Shu
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Gao
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Ju
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Zhang
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Sun
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Ma
D000328:Adult; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D016207:Cytokines / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D005260:Female; D000072596:Hepatitis A Virus Cellular Receptor 1; D000072597:Hepatitis A Virus Cellular Receptor 2; D006801:Humans; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics*; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011991:Receptors, Virus / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics*
D016207:Cytokines; C491143:HAVCR1 protein, human; C448908:HAVCR2 protein, human; D000072596:Hepatitis A Virus Cellular Receptor 1; D000072597:Hepatitis A Virus Cellular Receptor 2; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D011991:Receptors, Virus