Cell-type specificity of Tim-3 in respiratory diseases: from mechanisms to clinical translation

As an immune checkpoint molecule, Tim-3 is expressed on T cells and other immune cells, and is crucial for maintaining immune homeostasis and preventing excessive inflammation. This article reviews the changes in expression, mechanism of action, and clinical significance of Tim-3 in major respiratory diseases such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), pulmonary infections, lung cancer, and pulmonary fibrosis. It emphasizes the dual role (protective and pathogenic) of Tim-3 in respiratory diseases and prospects its potential as a disease biomarker and a new target for immunotherapy.