Activated Galectin?9/Tim3 promotes Treg and suppresses Th1 effector function in chronic lymphocytic leukemia

Tim-3 is a negative immunoregulator in anti-tumor response, but its mechanism chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) not yet clear. The aim of this study was to understand the role Galectin-9/Tim-3 signaling pathway regulation CD4+ T cell subsets CLL patients. Flow cytometry results showed that number Treg cells obviously increased, and there significant Treg/Th17 imbalance In addition, overexpressed on surface Th1 levels Galectin-9 IL-10 were significantly elevated patients CLL, especially stages Binet B, C. However, IFN-? decreased. Moreover, positively correlated with Tim-3+ level IL-10. Interestingly, when Tim-3/Galectin-9 blocked vitro, culture supernatant reduced, while TNF-? increased. After co-culture activated cells, apoptosis effect reversed after treatment Tregs. summary, are associated disease progression. By suppresses effector function also promotes be involved immune escape CLL. This might become potential target immunotherapy