title: The role of T cell immunoglobulin and mucin domain-3 in immune thrombocytopenia.
abstract: T cell immunoglobulin and mucin domain-3 (TIM-3), originally identified as a T helper (Th) 1-specific type I membrane protein, plays a vital role in Th1 immunity and tolerance induction through interaction with its ligand, galectin-9. The binding of TIM-3 by galectin-9 serves to downregulate Th1 responses. Moreover, the regulatory function of TIM-3 has been extended to other cells, such as Th17 cells, CD4(+) CD25(+) regulatory T cells (Tregs), CD8(+) T cells and certain innate immune cells. Previous studies have acknowledged that the TIM-3 pathway is involved in the pathogenesis of several human autoimmune diseases, such as systemic lupus erythematous, rheumatoid arthritis and aplastic anaemia. Moreover, genetic data suggest a role for TIM-3 in human autoimmune diseases. However, in immune thrombocytopenia (ITP), a common Th1- and possibly Th17-biased autoimmune disorder, the role of TIM-3 has not been explored. Recently, our data have demonstrated that TIM-3 expression is reduced in ITP patients, and we have found a potential link between ITP and the TIM-3 pathway. In this article, we discuss and speculate on the role of the TIM-3 pathway in ITP.
authors.affiliation: Department of Hematology, Shandong provincial Hospital affiliated to Shandong University, Jinan, China.
authors.forename: X-M
authors.initials: XM
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: N-N
authors.initials: NN
authors.lastname: Shan
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000276:immunology*; D015551:Autoimmunity; D037161:Galectins / Q000378:metabolism; D000072597:Hepatitis A Virus Cellular Receptor 2; D006801:Humans; D007108:Immune Tolerance; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000276:immunology*; D050378:T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / Q000276:immunology*; D018417:Th1 Cells / Q000276:immunology*; D058504:Th17 Cells / Q000276:immunology*; D013921:Thrombocytopenia / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D037161:Galectins; C448908:HAVCR2 protein, human; D000072597:Hepatitis A Virus Cellular Receptor 2; C105032:LGALS9 protein, human; D008565:Membrane Proteins