Soluble T cell immunoglobulin mucin domain 3 (sTim-3) in maternal sera: a potential contributor to immune regulation during pregnancy

The immune checkpoint inhibitor, membrane-bound T cell immunoglobulin mucin domain 3 (Tim-3), binds to galectin-9 (gal-9) and promotes immune tolerance during pregnancy. Soluble Tim-3 (sTim-3) competes with Tim-3 for binding to gal-9 and modulates its activity. Our objective was to evaluate the influence of sTim-3 on immune responses and outcome in pregnant women.Peripheral blood from 71 pregnant women was separated into mononuclear cell (PBMC)...