TAM receptors are dispensable in the phagocytosis and killing of bacteria

Many receptors that are employed for the engulfment of apoptotic cells are also used for the recognition and phagocytosis of bacteria. Tyro3, Axl, and Mertk (TAM) are important in the phagocytosis of apoptotic cells by macrophages. Animals lacking these receptors are hypersensitive to bacterial prod...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Cellular immunology 2009, Vol.259 (2), p.128-134
Main Authors: Williams, By Julie C., Craven, Robin R., Earp, H. Shelton, Kawula, Tom H., Matsushima, Glenn K.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
Apoptosis - immunology
Axl
c-Mer Tyrosine Kinase
E. coli
Escherichia coli
Escherichia coli - immunology
Escherichia coli Infections - immunology
Francisella tularensis
Francisella tularensis - growth & development
Francisella tularensis - immunology
Macrophage
Macrophages - immunology
Male
Mertk
Mice
Mice, Inbred C57BL
Mice, Knockout
Microscopy, Fluorescence
Oncogene Proteins - deficiency
Oncogene Proteins - genetics
Oncogene Proteins - immunology
Phagocytosis
Phagocytosis - immunology
Proto-Oncogene Proteins - deficiency
Proto-Oncogene Proteins - genetics
Proto-Oncogene Proteins - immunology
Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases - deficiency
Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases - genetics
Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases - immunology
Signal Transduction
Specific Pathogen-Free Organisms
Staphylococcus aureus
Tularemia - immunology
Tyro3
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Summary:Many receptors that are employed for the engulfment of apoptotic cells are also used for the recognition and phagocytosis of bacteria. Tyro3, Axl, and Mertk (TAM) are important in the phagocytosis of apoptotic cells by macrophages. Animals lacking these receptors are hypersensitive to bacterial products. In this report, we examine whether the TAM receptors are involved in the phagocytosis of bacteria. We found that macrophages lacking Mertk, Axl, Tyro3 or all three receptors were equally efficient in the phagocytosis of Gram-negative E. coli. Similarly, the phagocytosis of E. coli and Gram-positive S. aureus bioparticles by macrophages lacking TAM receptors was equal to wild-type. In addition, we found that Mertk did not play a role in killing of extracellular E. coli or the replication status of intracellular Francisella tularensis. Thus, while TAM receptors may regulate signal transduction to bacterial components, they are not essential for the phagocytosis and killing of bacteria.
ISSN:0008-8749
1090-2163
DOI:10.1016/j.cellimm.2009.06.006