title: TIM-3 as a new therapeutic target in systemic lupus erythematosus.
abstract: T-cell immunoglobulin- and mucin-domain-containing molecule-3 (TIM-3) was the first surface molecule that specifically identifies Th1 cells in both mice and human. Recently, identification of Galectin-9 as a ligand for TIM-3 has established the TIM-3-Galectin-9 pathway as an important regulator of Th1 immunity and tolerance induction. Many previous studies have demonstrated that TIM-3 influences chronic autoimmune diseases, such as multiple sclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis. In addition, association of TIM-3 polymorphisms with susceptibility to several autoimmune diseases has been identified. Recent work has explored the role of TIM-3 in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), and their results indicate that TIM-3 may represent a novel target for the treatment of SLE. In this review, we will discuss the TIM-3 pathway and the therapeutic potential of modulating the pathway in SLE.
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, 81 Meishan Road, Hefei, Anhui, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Hai-Feng
authors.initials: HF
authors.lastname: Pan
authors.forename: Ning
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Wen-Xian
authors.initials: WX
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Jin-Hui
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Tao
authors.forename: Dong-Qing
authors.initials: DQ
authors.lastname: Ye
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000072597:Hepatitis A Virus Cellular Receptor 2; D006801:Humans; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000235:genetics*
chemical_list: C448908:HAVCR2 protein, human; D000072597:Hepatitis A Virus Cellular Receptor 2; D008565:Membrane Proteins