TIM-3 was first identified in Th1 and cytotoxic CD8+ T cells in 2002 [169] and afterwards several studies reported an association between TIM-3 gene polymorphisms and the risk of developing autoimmune diseases (i.e. Hashimoto’s disease, idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura, multiple sclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis) [170]. Here, HAVCR2 is linked to rheumatoid arthritis.