Increased expression of T cell immunoglobulin- and mucin domain-containing molecule-3 on natural killer cells in atherogenesis

► Expression of Tim-3 increase on NK cells, but not T cells, in AS patients. ► Augmented expression of Tim-3 on NK cells correlates with risk factors of AS. ► Augmented expression of Tim-3 inhibits NK cells survival in vitro. ► Blockade of Tim-3 protects NK cells from TNF-α-induced cell death. ► Augmented Tim-3 expression on NK cells plays an important role in NK cell loss in atherosclerosis.