title: Imbalanced expression of human Tim-1 and Tim-3 in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from immune thrombocytopenia patients.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The T-cell immunoglobulin and mucin domain-(Tim)-1 molecule and Tim-3 are mainly expressed on activated T helper (Th) 2 and Th1 cells, respectively, and have been implicated in the pathogenesis of some autoimmune diseases. Immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) is a common autoimmune disorder, and the complex dysregulation of cellular immunity has been observed; however, the relationship between Tims and excessive immune responses in ITP remains unclear.
  
  
  METHODS
  Using real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), the mRNA expression levels of Tim-1, Tim-3, T-box transcription factor (T-bet) and GATA binding protein 3 (GATA-3) were measured in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of 45 newly diagnosed patients with active ITP, 34 ITP patients in remission and 31 healthy volunteers.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Tim-3 mRNA expression in PBMCs in newly diagnosed patients was significantly decreased. At the same time, Tim-1 mRNA was not significantly declined, which resulted in a decreased ratio of Tim-3 to Tim-1 in ITP patients with active disease. During the remission stages, the levels of these transcription factors were comparable with those observed in healthy controls.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The reduced levels of Tim-3/Tim-1 in PBMCs during active stages of the disease suggest a possible role in the pathogenesis and course of ITP. Regulating the balance of Tim-1 and Tim-3 in ITP patients could also be a therapeutic approach against ITP.
authors.affiliation: Department of Hematology, Shandong provincial Hospital affiliated to Shandong University, Jinan, 250021,China.
authors.forename: Xiao-mei
authors.initials: XM
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: Department of Hematology, Shandong provincial Hospital affiliated to Shandong University, Jinan, 250021,China. Electronic address: snning@126.com.
authors.forename: Ning-ning
authors.initials: NN
authors.lastname: Shan
authors.affiliation: Department of Hematology, Linzi District People's Hospital, Zibo, 255100,China.
authors.forename: Ming
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sun
authors.affiliation: Department of Hematology, Shandong provincial Hospital affiliated to Shandong University, Jinan, 250021,China.
authors.forename: Xin
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Department of Hematology, Shandong provincial Hospital affiliated to Shandong University, Jinan, 250021,China.
authors.forename: Xiu-mei
authors.initials: XM
authors.lastname: Feng
authors.affiliation: Department of Hematology, Shandong provincial Hospital affiliated to Shandong University, Jinan, 250021,China.
authors.forename: Xin
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.affiliation: Department of Hematology, Shandong provincial Hospital affiliated to Shandong University, Jinan, 250021,China.
authors.forename: Ying
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Department of Hematology, Shandong provincial Hospital affiliated to Shandong University, Jinan, 250021,China.
authors.forename: Dai
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Yuan
authors.affiliation: Department of Hematology, Shandong provincial Hospital affiliated to Shandong University, Jinan, 250021,China.
authors.forename: Mei
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ding
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D050990:GATA3 Transcription Factor / Q000235:genetics; D000072596:Hepatitis A Virus Cellular Receptor 1; D000072597:Hepatitis A Virus Cellular Receptor 2; D006801:Humans; D007963:Leukocytes, Mononuclear / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins / Q000235:genetics*; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D008875:Middle Aged; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D011991:Receptors, Virus / Q000235:genetics*; D020825:T-Box Domain Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D013921:Thrombocytopenia / Q000097:blood* / Q000235:genetics; D055815:Young Adult; D000098815:T-bet Transcription Factor
chemical_list: D050990:GATA3 Transcription Factor; C494749:GATA3 protein, human; 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; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D011991:Receptors, Virus; D020825:T-Box Domain Proteins; D000098815:T-bet Transcription Factor
keywords: Immune thrombocytopenia; RT-PCR; T-cell immunoglobulin and mucin domain-3; Tim-1