Aims T-cell immunoglobulin and mucin domain-containing molecule 3 (Tim-3), an immune checkpoint molecule, is highly expressed in microglia and its expression dynamically increases during central nervous system (CNS) development. Although its immunomodulatory functions are well-established, its role in inflammation following spinal cord injury (SCI) remains unclear. This study aimed to elucidate the regulatory role of microglial Tim-3 in the sterile inflammatory response after SCI and to explore