Association of Tim-4 expression in monocyte subtypes with clinical course and prognosis in acute ischemic stroke patients.

Background It has been proven that T cell immunoglobin and mucin domain (Tim)-4 and monocytes (Mo) are involved in regulation of immunity, which is important for the recovery of acute ischemic stroke (AIS).Methods In this study, the expression of Tim-4 in both circulating Mo subtypes and plasma in 32 consecutive AIS patients and 32 control patients was assessed to determine their correlation with the clinical course and prognosis of AIS.Results It was found that, compared to the control patients, the percentage of Tim-4 expression in overall Mo, classical Mo and non-classical Mo was significantly elevated after 2 and 5 days of stroke (P < 0.05), while it was promoted from 0 to 10 days of stoke in intermediate Mo (P < 0.05). Furthermore, Tim-4 expressions in non-classical Mo and intermediate Mo were obviously correlated with National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) scores at 2 days of stroke (r = 0.351, P = 0.048; r = 0.358, P = 0.044, respectively). In poor outcome (PO) patients, the expression of Tim-4 in non-classical Mo was remarkably promoted at 2 days of stroke in comparison with non-PO patients (P < 0.05). More importantly, our results revealed a positive correlation between Tim-4 expression in non-classical Mo and interleukin (IL)-6 plasma levels in AIS patients without infection.Conclusion In summary, our findings proved that Tim-4 expression in non-classical Mo could be an appropriate target for the prediction of the clinical course and prognosis in AIS patients.