Tim-3 blockade promotes iNKT cell function to inhibit HBV replication.

ABSTRACT: Increased expression of T cell immunoglobulin and mucin domain-3 (Tim-3) on invariant natural killer T (iNKT) cells is reported in chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. However, whether Tim-3 regulates iNKT cells in chronic HBV condition remains unclear. In this study, our results showed that the expression of Tim-3 was up-regulated on hepatic iNKT cells from HBV-transgenic (Tg) mice or iNKT cells stimulated with α-galactosylceramide (α-Galcer). Compared with Tim-3^- iNKT cells, Tim-3⁺ iNKT cells expressed more IFN-γ, IL-4 and CD107a, indicating a strong relationship between Tim-3 and iNKT cell activation. Constantly, treatment of Tim-3 blocking antibodies significantly enhanced the production of IFN-γ, TNF-α, IL-4 and CD107a in iNKT cells both in vivo and in vitr

SUBMITTER: Xu Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5980221 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature