Anti-Mouse TIM-3 (Clone B8.2C12) - Purified <i>in vivo</i> GOLD™ Functional Grade (T751-GRP)

TIM-3 is a member of the T cell immunoglobulin mucin gene family and encodes a type I membrane protein consisting of an immunoglobulin variable-region-like domain, a mucin-like domain, and a tyrosine phosphorylation motif1. TIM-3 functions as an important immune checkpoint receptor that helps regulate dendritic cell function2, T helper type I expansion, and induction of peripheral tolerance3. TIM-3 interacts with GAL-9, PtdSer, HMGB1 and CEACAM1 to activate biochemical pathways such as immune tolerance, T cell depletion, NF-κB signaling, and IL-2 secretion4. Additionally, TIM-3 expression correlates with terminal differentiation and exhaustion in tumors as well as chronic infection3. Due to its dysregulation in different types of cancer, TIM-3 blockade is being investigated as an anti-tumor immunotherapy2,4. TIM-3 also has potential as a prognostic marker in solid tumors4. B8.2C12 was generated by immunizing Lewis and Lou/M female rats (Harlan Sprague-Dawley) with Th1 polarized T cell clones and/or lines, including Th1-specific clone AE7 and in vitro differentiated Th1 cell lines derived from 5B6 and DO11.10 T cell receptor transgenic mice1. Spleen cells were fused with myeloma cells and a large panel of monoclonal antibodies was screened on Th1 and Th2 cells by flow cytometry. B8.2C12 selectively stained Th1 cells. Gene expression cloning was then used to identify a complementary DNA, which was TIM-3.