Tim-2 up-regulation and galectin-9-Tim-3 pathway activation in Th2-biased response in Schistosoma japonicum infection in mice

Immunol Lett. 2012 May 30;144(1-2):60-6. doi: 10.1016/j.imlet.2012.03.007. Epub 2012 Mar 26.

Abstract

T cell immunoglobulin domain and mucin domain (Tim) family, a new gene that expresses on the surface of T cells, plays a critical role in regulation of T cells response. Previous data have shown that Tim-3 expressed on Th1 cells promotes itself apoptosis. Tim-2 is preferentially up-regulated during Th2 differentiation and functions as a potent costimulatory molecule for T-cell immunity. The present study aims to learn whether Tims are responsible for Th2-biased response evoked by Schistosoma japonicum infection. The expressions of Tim-2 and Tim-3 in spleen lymphocytes from S. japonicum-infected mice were examined, and the possible role of galectin-9-Tim-3 pathway in Th2-biased response triggered by schistosome infection was discussed. Our results showed that Tim-2 mRNAs were up-regulated in the spleen of schistosome-infected mice, which coincided with elevated IL-4 gene expression. Administration of galectin-9 significantly induced apoptosis of naïve spleen lymphocytes with down-regulation IFN-γexpression in vitro. Additionally, Tim-3-Fc fusion protein notably enhanced Th1 cells and decreased Th2 cells in vitro. Thus, we concluded that pro-apoptotic effects on Th1 population through galectin-9-Tim-3 pathway and the up-regulation of Tim-2 on Th2 cells might be critical to Th2-biased response of host with schistosomiasis japonica.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Apoptosis
  • Cell Differentiation
  • Female
  • Galectins / genetics
  • Galectins / metabolism*
  • Hepatitis A Virus Cellular Receptor 2
  • Membrane Proteins / genetics
  • Membrane Proteins / metabolism*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Receptors, Virus / genetics
  • Receptors, Virus / metabolism*
  • Schistosoma japonicum / immunology*
  • Schistosoma japonicum / pathogenicity
  • Schistosomiasis japonica / immunology*
  • Schistosomiasis japonica / parasitology
  • Schistosomiasis japonica / physiopathology*
  • T-Lymphocytes / cytology
  • T-Lymphocytes / immunology
  • T-Lymphocytes / physiology
  • Th2 Cells / immunology*
  • Th2 Cells / metabolism
  • Up-Regulation

Substances

  • Galectins
  • Havcr2 protein, mouse
  • Hepatitis A Virus Cellular Receptor 2
  • Membrane Proteins
  • Receptors, Virus
  • Timd2 protein, mouse
  • galectin 9, mouse