%0 Journal Article %A Tomita, M. %A Wang, M. C. %A Taniguchi, H. %A Takahashi, H. %A Shimazaki, J. %A Yagita, H. %A Hori, J. %T Tim-3 Is Necessary for Corneal Allograft Survival %B Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science %D 2008 %J Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science %V 49 %N 13 %P 5755-5755 %@ 1552-5783 %X T cell immunoglobulin and mucin domain (Tim)-3 is a helper T (Th) 1 cell-specific antigen that was implicated to play a role in the maintenance of peripheral tolerance. The purpose of the present study was to determine the role of Tim-3 in immune privilege of corneal allografts. Normal corneas of C57BL/6 were transplanted orthotopically into normal eyes of BALB/c mice. Recipients were administrated with 0.2 mg of anti-Tim-3 monoclonal antibodies or control rat IgG intraperitoneally, three times a week for 8 weeks after grafting. Graft survival was assessed clinically and was compared with control. Expression of Tim-3 in normal corneas and in allografts was examined immunohistochemically by confocal microscopy. Allografts survival in anti-Tim-3 group was significantly shorter than that in the control group (p<0.05). Tim-3 expression was found on CD4-positive T cells in the posterior surface of allografts. Tim-3 plays a role on the acceptance of corneal allografts. Tim-3 positive CD4 positive T cells infiltrating in the corneal grafts may have a role in the maintenance of allografts survival within the cornea. %[ 2/24/2021