HAVCR2

HAVCR2, full name is hepatitis a virus cellular receptor 2, is usually called T-cell immunoglobulin and mucin-domain containing-3 (TIM-3). It is a protein encoded by the HAVCR2 gene in human. HAVCR2 is implicated in modulating innate and adaptive immune responses as an immune checkpoint. HAVCR2 is primarily activated by galectin-9. The engagement leads to stimulation of an influx of calcium to intracellular space and induction of programmed cell death, apoptosis. As a consequence, a suppression of Th1 and Th17 responses and induction of immune tolerance occurs. In addition to galectin-9, a couple other ligands have been identified, such as phospatidyl serine (PtdSer), High Mobility Group Protein 1 (HMGB1) and Carcinoembryonic Antigen Related Cell Adhesion Molecule 1 (CEACAM1).