Tim-4 expression increases in ischemic stroke patients and is associated with poor outcome

Abstract T cell immunoglobin and mucin domain (Tim)-4 on monocytes is involved in immune regulation. Here, we investigated Tim-4 expression on circulating monocytes and in plasma of ischemic stroke. Tim-4 expression was significantly increased on day 2 and day 5 after stroke. Furthermore, stroke severity was positively correlated with Tim-4 expression on monocytes or in plasma. Increased Tim-4 expression was related to stroke associated with infection (SAI) on day 2. Up-regulated Tim-4 expression on monocytes or in plasma on day 2 was a risk predictor of outcome. Our findings suggest that Tim-4 can act as a prognostic biomarker of ischemic stroke.