Role of Tim-3 signal in regulating the expression of IFI44 and in H1N1 infection

doi:10.13431/j.cnki.immunol.j.20160065

Abstract：Reports showed that Tim-3,an immune regulator,is involved in the negative regulation of anti-infection immunity.However,the mechanism and significance of this regulating process remain unclear.This study conducted to further explore the mechanisms by which Tim-3 regulates immune response in infection.Based on microarray data,we investigate the influence of Tim-3 signal on the expression of IFI44,a key molecular in anti-infection immunity,in vitro and in vivo.We also evaluated the role of Tim-3 in H1N1 infection by blocking Tim-3 pathway in vivo.Data showed that IFI44 expression was significantly elevated when Tim-3 was silenced or blocked by Tim-3 protein in cultured macrophage,while overexpression of Tim-3 lead to IFI44 expression decrease in macrophage.In H1N1 infected mouse,blockade of Tim-3 pathway using soluble Tim-3 significantly increased IFI44 expression and decreased H1N1 virus load.We concluded that Tim-3 plays an essential role in inhibiting IFI44 and in regulating anti-virus immunity in vivo.This study sheds new light on the mechanisms Tim-3 regulating immune response and provides new strategy for the intervention of virus infection.