LGALS9 and autoimmune disease: Gal-9 suppresses interleukin (IL)-17-producing effector T helper cells (Th)17 and Th1 [3]; these cells play an exacerbating role in the pathogenesis of various autoimmune diseases, whereas Gal-9 augments Foxp3+ regulatory T cells (Treg), an essential suppressor of excessive immunity [3].