Immune checkpoint TIM-3 defines hyperactivated NK cells and predicts fatal outcome in severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) is a viral hemorrhagic fever with high mortality, primarily driven by immune dysregulation. This study aimed to characterize the expression profile of TIM-3 expression on peripheral NK cells in SFTS, explore the role of TIM-3 ⁺ NK cells in disease progression, and evaluate soluble TIM-3 (sTIM-3) and Galectin-9 (sGalectin-9) as prognostic biomarkers.

Methods

Public single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) datasets were analyzed using weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA). Peripheral blood samples from 21 SFTS patients and 14 healthy donors collected at the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, were analyzed by flow cytometry, functional assays, and serological assessments.

SUBMITTER: Qian X 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12829940 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature