Clinical significance of Tim3-positive T cell subsets in patients with multiple sclerosis.

•It is widely accepted that T-cell mediated immune response is involved in the pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis (MS).•We studied association between T cell immunoglobulin % and mucin domain 3 (Tim3)-pos T cells and related cytokines and MS.•Percentage Tim3-pos T cells in CD4+ and CD4+CD25+ T cell subsets were significantly lower among MS patients than controls.•Proportions of CD4+Tim3+ and CD4+CD25+Tim3+ cells in PBMCs were significantly lower in the MS group than the control group.•Serum concentrations of galectin-9, IL-17, and IFN-γ were increased in MS patients compared with controls.