T cell immunoglobulin and mucin domain‐containing molecule 3 on CD14+ monocytes serves as a novel biological marker for diabetes duration in type 2 diabetes mellitus

AIMS/INTRODUCTION Type 2 diabetes is a worldwide disease that is associated with increased rates of obesity and reduced physical activity. Obesity-associated insulin resistance in type 2 diabetes is a disorder in the balance between pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory signals. T cell immunoglobulin and mucin domain-containing molecule 3 (Tim-3) has been reported as an important regulatory inflammation molecule, and plays a pivotal role in several inflammation-related diseases. MATERIALS AND METHODS Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were obtained from type 2 diabetes patients (n = 31) and healthy donors (n = 18), and Tim-3 expression on peripheral blood mononuclear cells was evaluated by flow cytometry. RESULTS We showed the downregulated expression of Tim-3 on CD14+ monocytes from type 2 diabetes patients. In addition, the upregulated expression of Tim-3 on peripheral CD4+ T cells and CD8+ T cells was observed in the present study. The correlation analysis between Tim-3 expression on CD14+ monocytes and diabetes duration showed the longer diabetes duration time, the lower Tim-3 expression on CD14 monocytes. CONCLUSIONS The present results suggest that Tim-3 might participate in the progression of type 2 diabetes by its negative regulation on these immune cells, and Tim-3 on CD14+ monocytes serves as a novel biological marker for diabetes duration in type 2 diabetes patients.