Blockade of Tim-3 pathway ameliorates interferon-gamma production from hepatic CD8+ T cells in a mouse model of hepatitis B virus infection

Cell Mol Immunol. 2009 Feb;6(1):35-43. doi: 10.1038/cmi.2009.5.

Abstract

T cell immunoglobulin- and mucin-domain-containing molecule-3 (Tim-3) has been reported to participate in the pathogenesis of inflammatory diseases. However, whether Tim-3 is involved in hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection remains unknown. Here, we studied the expression and function of Tim-3 in a hydrodynamics-based mouse model of HBV infection. A significant increase of Tim-3 expression on hepatic T lymphocytes, especially on CD8+ T cells, was demonstrated in HBV model mice from day 7 to day 18. After Tim-3 knockdown by specific shRNAs, significantly increased IFN-gamma production from hepatic CD8+ T cells in HBV model mice was observed. Very interestingly, we found Tim-3 expression on CD8+ T cells was higher in HBV model mice with higher serum anti-HBs production. Moreover, Tim-3 knockdown influenced anti-HBs production in vivo. Collectively, our data suggested that Tim-3 might act as a potent regulator of antiviral T-cell responses in HBV infection.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / immunology*
  • Cell Line
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Gene Knockdown Techniques
  • Hepatitis A Virus Cellular Receptor 2
  • Hepatitis B / immunology*
  • Interferon-gamma / biosynthesis*
  • Interferon-gamma / immunology
  • Liver / immunology*
  • Liver / pathology
  • Liver / virology
  • Macrophages / immunology
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Receptors, Virus / genetics
  • Receptors, Virus / metabolism*

Substances

  • Havcr2 protein, mouse
  • Hepatitis A Virus Cellular Receptor 2
  • Receptors, Virus
  • Interferon-gamma