Elevated Serum TIM-3 Correlates with Disease Activity of Rheumatoid Arthritis

Abstract

Background: A type I transmembrane protein called T-cell immunoglobulin and mucin domain-containing molecule-3 (TIM-3) is involved  in the development of several chronic autoimmune illnesses, including rheumatoid arthritis, by modulating T cell immune responses and  the Th17/Treg balance.

Aim: is to detect if sTIM-3 is elevated in rheumatoid patients and correlated with disease activity.

Patients and Methods: This study was carried out on 40 RA patients and 40 apparently healthy controls attending the inpatient and  outpatient clinics of the Rheumatology and Rehabilitation Department, Zagazig University Hospitals, Serum samples of all subjects were  collected for routine laboratory assessment and for evaluating serum levels of TIM-3.

Results: Serum TIM-3 was elevated in RA patients  (541.88 ± 389.62) compared with those in healthy subjects than the control group (150±31.61). On studying the validity of TIM-3 serum  level at cut off = 207.1, the sensitivity was (97.5%) and specificity was (94.9%) while the Sensitivity of TIM 3 concentration at cut off =399.5  was (83.3%), specificity was = (70%). Different DAS 28 score gradings and TIM 3 concentrations showed statistically significant differences,  with severe cases showing the highest median and moderate score gradings following.

Conclusions: By comparing RA  patients and healthy controls, RA patients had considerably greater levels of circulating sTIM-3 than the healthy group. sTIM-3 was  correlated with active rheumatoid patients.