title: The T-cell immunoglobulin and mucin domain (Tim) gene family in asthma, allergy, and autoimmunity.
abstract: The T-cell immunoglobulin and mucin domain (Tim) gene family is a relatively newly discovered group of molecules with a conserved structure and important immunologic functions. Tim molecules express on many types of immune cells including T cells, B cells, dendritic cells, macrophages,  and mast cells that have been shown to be involved in asthma, allergic rhinitis, food allergy, and autoimmunity. Tim-1-Tim-4 interaction promotes Th2 cytokine responses, and blocking this interaction can decrease airway inflammation in asthma and in allergic rhinitis. Tim-3 stimulates  mast cells to produce Th2 cytokines, and anti-Tim-3 is able to dampen asthmatic inflammation. The Tim-3 ligand was shown to be greatly enhanced on intestinal epithelial cells in patients with food allergy and Tim-4 may play a role in maintaining oral tolerance and prevention of food  allergy. Tim-3 deregulation plays a role in the pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis. Increased Tim-1 expression has been shown in mononuclear cells from systemic lupus erythematosus patients and Tim-3 may be involved in a protective role in rheumatoid arthritis.
authors: Department of Medicine, Nassau University Medical Center, East Meadow, NY 11554, USA.
authors: Zhenhong
authors: Z
authors: Li
authors: Zhongliang
authors: Z
authors: Ju
authors: Marianne
authors: M
authors: Frieri
mesh_terms: D019138:Antibodies, Blocking / Q000378:metabolism; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000235:genetics; D001249:Asthma / Q000235:genetics*; D015551:Autoimmunity / Q000235:genetics*; D016207:Cytokines / Q000276:immunology; D005512:Food Hypersensitivity / Q000235:genetics*; D000072596:Hepatitis A Virus Cellular Receptor 1; D000072597:Hepatitis A Virus Cellular Receptor 2; D006801:Humans; D007108:Immune Tolerance; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins / Q000235:genetics*; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000235:genetics; D011991:Receptors, Virus / Q000235:genetics*; D018418:Th2 Cells / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D019138:Antibodies, Blocking; 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; C512411:TIMD4 protein, human