TAM receptors and their ligand-mediated activation: Role in atherosclerosis

Int Rev Cell Mol Biol. 2020:357:21-33. doi: 10.1016/bs.ircmb.2020.09.001. Epub 2020 Oct 5.

Abstract

TAM family tyrosine kinase receptors including Tyro3, Axl, and MerTK are the key efferocytosis receptors presenting on antigen-presenting cell that mediate the clearance of apoptotic cells. They are thought to regulate inflammatory diseases by modulating inflammatory response and efferocytosis. Recent studies have revealed novel roles of TAM receptors in the biosynthesis of specialized pro-resolving mediators (SPMs) and inflammation resolution. In this chapter, we discuss the central roles of TAM signaling in atherosclerosis focusing on their regulation in efferocytosis and inflammation resolution and highlight the unique therapeutic potential of SPMs in blocking the progression of atherosclerosis.

Keywords: Atherosclerosis; Efferocytosis; Inflammation resolution; MerTK cleavage; Specialized pro-resolving mediators; TAM.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Atherosclerosis / metabolism*
  • Atherosclerosis / pathology
  • Atherosclerosis / therapy
  • Axl Receptor Tyrosine Kinase
  • Humans
  • Ligands
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins / metabolism*
  • Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases / metabolism*
  • c-Mer Tyrosine Kinase / metabolism*

Substances

  • Ligands
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins
  • MERTK protein, human
  • Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases
  • TYRO3 protein, human
  • c-Mer Tyrosine Kinase
  • Axl Receptor Tyrosine Kinase
  • AXL protein, human