Figure 1.

Role of Tim3. The interaction between Tim3 on an effector T cell and galectin-9 on a tumour cell inhibits the immune response by inducing apoptosis in the T cell. Tim3 is also upregulated on Treg, which in turn inhibit effector T cell function. Blocking Tim3 with a mAb thus enhances T cell proliferation and immune function. L1/L2, ligand 1/2; mAb, monoclonal antibody; PD, programmed death; TIL, tumour-infiltrating lymphocyte; Tim3, T-cell immunoglobulin and mucin domain-3; Treg, regulatory T cell.