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Phagocytosis and clearance of apoptotic cells is mediated by MER

Author

Listed:
  • Rona S. Scott

    (UNC Neuroscience Center
    Louisiana State University, Health Sciences Center)

  • Eileen J. McMahon

    (Department of Microbiology and Immunology)

  • Shannon M. Pop

    (Curriculum in Oral Biology)

  • Elizabeth A. Reap

    (Alphavax Human Vaccines)

  • Roberto Caricchio

    (University of Pennsylvania)

  • Philip L. Cohen

    (University of Pennsylvania)

  • H. Shelton Earp

    (Department of Pharmacology and Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center)

  • Glenn K. Matsushima

    (UNC Neuroscience Center
    Department of Microbiology and Immunology
    Curriculum in Oral Biology
    University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill)

Abstract

Apoptosis is fundamental to the development and maintenance of animal tissues and the immune system1. Rapid clearance of apoptotic cells by macrophages is important to inhibit inflammation and autoimmune responses against intracellular antigens2,3,4. Here we report a new function for Mer, a member of the Axl/Mer/Tyro3 receptor tyrosine kinase family. merkd mice with a cytoplasmic truncation of Mer had macrophages deficient in the clearance of apoptotic thymocytes. This was corrected in chimaeric mice reconstituted with bone marrow from wild-type animals. Primary macrophages isolated from merkd mice showed that the phagocytic deficiency was restricted to apoptotic cells and was independent of Fc receptor-mediated phagocytosis or ingestion of other particles. The inability to clear apoptotic cells adequately may be linked to an increased number of nuclear autoantibodies in merkd mice. Thus, the Mer receptor tyrosine kinase seems to be critical for the engulfment and efficient clearance of apoptotic cells. This has implications for inflammation and autoimmune diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus.

Suggested Citation

  • Rona S. Scott & Eileen J. McMahon & Shannon M. Pop & Elizabeth A. Reap & Roberto Caricchio & Philip L. Cohen & H. Shelton Earp & Glenn K. Matsushima, 2001. "Phagocytosis and clearance of apoptotic cells is mediated by MER," Nature, Nature, vol. 411(6834), pages 207-211, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:nature:v:411:y:2001:i:6834:d:10.1038_35075603
    DOI: 10.1038/35075603
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    Cited by:

    1. Hongdong Wang & Yanhua Du & Shanshan Huang & Xitai Sun & Youqiong Ye & Haixiang Sun & Xuehui Chu & Xiaodong Shan & Yue Yuan & Lei Shen & Yan Bi, 2024. "Single-cell analysis reveals a subpopulation of adipose progenitor cells that impairs glucose homeostasis," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-19, December.

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