DECREASED SERUM LEVELS OF T-CELL IMMUNOGLOBULIN MUCIN-1 AND T-CELL IMMUNOGLOBULIN MUCIN-3 IN SYSTEMIC LUPUS ERYTHEMATOSUS PATIENTS

This study aims to investigate the serum T-cell immunoglobulin mucin (TIM)-1 and TIM-3 levels in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients and analyze their correlations with clinical features. Sixty-one SLE patients and 69 healthy controls were enrolled, serum TIM-1 and TIM-3 levels were detected by ELISA. Results demonstrated that both serum TIM -1 and TIM-3 levels were significantly decreased in SLE patients compared with controls (both P<0.05). Lower serum TIM-3 levels in SLE patients with nephritis were observed when compared to those without nephritis, with a marginal statistical significance (P=0.059). However, both serum TIM-1 and TIM-3 levels had no significant correlation with SLE disease activity (both P>0.05). In summary, decreased serum TIM -1 and TIM-3 levels, and association of TIM-3 with nephritis suggest their possible role in the development and pathogenesis of SLE. However, further studies are needed to confirm these preliminary results.