Tim-3, a member of the novel TIM (T cell immunoglobulin- and mucin-containing-domain) family of molecules, is the first molecule identified to be specifically expressed on CD4+ Th1 and not on Th2 cells. Tim-3 negatively regulates Th1 immunity and induces tolerance, but it's function has not been clarified in tumor immunity. To explore the effect of Tim pathway blockade on tumor growth using Tim-3-Ig fusion protein, two approaches were adopted. First, it was investigated whether Tim-3-Ig expression in lung carcinoma cells (3LL) affects tumor growth in mice. Second, it was investigated whether administration of purified Tim-3-Ig into mice influences tumor growth. Tumor growth of 3LL cells expressing Tim-3-Ig was suppressed as compared with control mouse groups. Further tumor growth in mice injected with purified Tim-3-Ig was inhibited as compared with control mouse groups injected with human Ig and PBS, respectively. Additionally, Mammal I revealed the importance of Tim-3 glycosylation for its binding activity to Tim-3 ligand using Tim-3-Ig expressed by mammalian cells and by Sf 9 cells. My results showed suppressive effect of Tim-3-Ig on tumor growth, implying significance of Tim-3-Tim-3 ligand pathway in tumor immunology.
T cell immunoglobulin- and mucin domain-3 (Tim-3), 종양 면역, 당화, 3LL, 역전사
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