The C allele at the rs631090 locus of C1q, the G allele at 1525A/G site of TRAIL, and the G allele of Tim-1 at -1454G/A site are susceptibility variants associated with SLE.
Although the TIM gene family plays important roles in immune responses, little is known about TIM regulation in the development of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).
Moreover, Tim-4 mRNA levels were closely correlated with Tim-1 mRNA levels in PBMCs and with serum TNF-alpha levels in SLE patients but not in the control group.
We also found that there was a significant increase in the expression of TIM-1 in SLE patients with quite active disease (SLE disease activity index > 6), indicating that TIM-1 expression might be related to active clinical phases.