T-cell immunoglobulin and mucin-domain containing-3 (TIM-3): Solving a key puzzle in autoimmune diseases

•Comprehensive Analysis: The review provides a detailed exploration of the structure, signal transduction, and various ligands of T-cell immunoglobulin and mucin-domain containing-3 (TIM-3), an immune checkpoint molecule.•Clinical Implications: We delve into the role of TIM-3 in the pathogenesis of a range of autoimmune diseases and chronic inflammatory conditions, offering insights into potential therapeutic strategies.•Recent Findings: Our perspectives in the review are not only based on existing literature, but are also informed by our most recent research findings on TIM-3, bringing a fresh outlook to the field.•Bridging Basic Science with Clinical Practice: This review creates a comprehensive resource that merges foundational knowledge with cutting-edge research findings, offering valuable insights for a broad range of readers, including researchers, clinicians, and students.•Timely Contribution: Given the current interest in immune checkpoint molecules like TIM-3, this review makes a significant contribution to the literature, addressing a topic of high relevance in both research and clinical settings.