Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40679998›Full record

ArticlePloS one2025

Effect of the TIM-3/Gal-9 signaling pathway on macrophage polarization in peri-implantitis.

Lu-Jin Cheng, Shu-Ya Dong, Xiao-Feng Ni, Long Mei, Jun-Gang He, Aynur Mamat, Zhong-Cheng Gong

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in PloS one, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. TIM-3+ Macrophages: Insights into Their Role in Cancer and Inflammation.International journal of molecular sciences · 2026
    Review
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

7 authors.

Lu-Jin ChengDepartment of Oral Rehabilitation and Implantology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University (Affiliated Stomatology Hospital), Urumqi, Xinjiang, People's Republic of China.ORCID https://orcid.org/0009-0000-6282-2673
Shu-Ya DongDepartment of Oral Rehabilitation and Implantology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University (Affiliated Stomatology Hospital), Urumqi, Xinjiang, People's Republic of China.
Xiao-Feng NiDepartment of Oral Rehabilitation and Implantology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University (Affiliated Stomatology Hospital), Urumqi, Xinjiang, People's Republic of China.
Long MeiDepartment of Oral Rehabilitation and Implantology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University (Affiliated Stomatology Hospital), Urumqi, Xinjiang, People's Republic of China.
Jun-Gang HeDepartment of Oral Rehabilitation and Implantology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University (Affiliated Stomatology Hospital), Urumqi, Xinjiang, People's Republic of China.
Aynur MamatDepartment of Stomatology, Shache County People's Hospital, Kashgar Prefecture, People's Republic of China.
Zhong-Cheng GongStomatological Research Institute of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Urumqi, Xinjiang, People's Republic of China.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

introductionPeri-implantitis (PI) is a common complication of oral implant surgeries. Understanding the role of T-cell immunoglobulin and mucin domain-containing protein 3 (TIM-3) and its ligand galectin-9 (Gal-9) in PI is essential for advancing treatment strategies. This study investigated the effect of the TIM-3/Gal-9 signaling pathway on macrophage polarization in PI.

methodsWe included 31 PI patients and 30 controls with healthy implants. Peripheral blood and peri-implant tissue samples were collected. Serum Gal-9 and cytokine levels were measured using ELISA. CD86, CD206, and TIM-3 expressions were analyzed via immunohistochemistry. Lipopolysaccharide was used to induce a PI environment in cells, which were divided into blank control, control, and Gal-9 groups. Flow cytometry detected M1, M2, TIM-3+M1, and TIM-3+M2 proportions.

resultsThere were positive expressions of CD86 and CD206 in peri-implant tissues of PI patients, indicating the presence of both macrophage phenotypes, with a notable predominance of M1. The proportions of CD86+M1 macrophages and CD206+M2 macrophages in peripheral blood were significantly elevated in the PI group, resulting in an increased M1/M2 ratio in the PI group. Correlation analyses indicated that both M1 and M1/M2 were positively correlated with the modified plaque index, modified sulcular bleeding index, and probing depth, suggesting that the M1/M2 ratio reflects the clinical severity of PI. In vitro experiments showed that the addition of Gal-9 led to a significant increase in the proportion of TIM-3+M1 and TIM-3+M2 macrophages and a decrease in M1 cell proportions and M1/M2 ratio. The Gal-9 group exhibited significantly reduced levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1β and TNF-α. A strong negative correlation was found between TNF-α levels and TIM-3+M1 macrophages. However, no significant difference was found in the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 between the control and Gal-9 groups.

conclusionThe TIM-3/Gal-9 signaling pathway plays a crucial role in modulating macrophage polarization in PI. This work may provide evidence for the development of novel therapeutic targets for managing PI.

Indexed as

GalectinsHepatitis A Virus Cellular Receptor 2MacrophagesPeri-ImplantitisSignal TransductionAdultAgedB7-2 AntigenCase-Control StudiesCytokinesFemaleHumansMaleMannose ReceptorMiddle AgedReceptors, Cell SurfaceB7-2 AntigenCytokinesGalectinsHAVCR2 protein, humanHepatitis A Virus Cellular Receptor 2LGALS9 protein, humanMannose ReceptorReceptors, Cell Surface

Identifiers

PMID40679998
PMCPMC12273957

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.