T cell immunoglobulin and mucin domain-3 (TIM3), also called hepatitis A virus cellular receptor 2 (HAVCR2), isa transmembrane glycoprotein of the TIM family of immune regulating molecules and plays an important rolein the Th1-mediated immune response. TIM3 is expressed on the Th1 cells, CD8 T-cells, monocytes, anddendritic cells, but not on Th2 cells. TIM3 expressed by monocytes and dendritic cells facilitates phagocytosisof apoptotic cells and up-regulates cross-presentation of apoptotic cell-associated antigens through interactionwith phosphatidylserine. Engagement of TIM3 by its ligand galectin-9 induces a range of immunosuppressivefunctions which enhance immune tolerance and inhibit anti-tumor immunity. Stimulation of TIM3 with anagonistic antibody promotes inflammation through the activation of innate immune cells. TIM3 is alsoregarded as a potential target molecule for immunotherapy. TIM3 and programmed cell death 1 (PD-1) as twoimportant coinhibitory regulators of T cell responses, have been implicated with the T-cell dysfunction orexhaustion associated with chronic HBV infection including HBV-related HCC.,Tim, TIM-, Tim3, Timd, TIM-3, Timd3,HAVCR2