Tim-3 Expression in Duodenal Mucosa: The Role in the Pathogenesis and Diagnosis of Celiac Disease As An İmmune Checkpoint Molecule

Limited data exist on the expression of immune checkpoint molecules (ICMs) in celiac disease (CD). This study aims to evaluate Tim-3 expression in duodenal biopsies from CD patients and those of non-CD patients, some of whom have increased intraepithelial lymphocytes (IELs). Duodenal tissues from 214 individuals who applied to the adult gastroenterology clinic were re-evaluated. The American College of Gastroenterology Guidelines were used to confirm the diagnosis of CD. Sections were prepared from formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded duodenal tissues for immunohistochemical analyses. The area with the highest Tim-3 expression in the lamina propria was counted at 40x (HPF) magnification. Receiver operating characteristic analysis offered a cut-off value predicting CD diagnosis as “>9 per HPF” (p