Figure 7.
Scheme of cross-talk interactions between TIM-3, Gal-9 and TLR4 signaling networks. IR-triggered liver damage leads to the activation of macrophages and Th1 cells, which express Gal-9 and TIM-3, respectively. TIM-3-Gal-9 signaling negatively regulates Th1 cells by suppressing TLR4-NF-κB pathway via IFN-γ, which in turn stimulates Gal-9 and prevents macrophage activation. Diminished elaboration of pro-inflammatory cytokine and chemokine programs mitigates the hepatocellular damage and ultimately facilitates liver homeostasis.