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Guttenberg MA, Vose AT, Birukova A, Lewars K, Cumming RI, Albright MC, Mark JI, Salazar CJ, Swaminathan S, Yu Z, Sokolenko YV, Bunyan E, Yaeger MJ, Fessler MB, Que LG, Gowdy KM, Misharin AV, Tighe RM. Tissue-Resident Alveolar Macrophages Reduce Ozone-induced Inflammation via MerTK-mediated Efferocytosis. Am J Respir Cell Mol Biol 2024; 70:493-506. [PMID: 38386777 DOI: 10.1165/rcmb.2023-0390oc] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2023] [Accepted: 02/22/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Lung inflammation, caused by acute exposure to ozone (O3), one of the six criteria air pollutants, is a significant source of morbidity in susceptible individuals. Alveolar macrophages (AMØs) are the most abundant immune cells in the normal lung, and their number increases after O3 exposure. However, the role of AMØs in promoting or limiting O3-induced lung inflammation has not been clearly defined. In this study, we used a mouse model of acute O3 exposure, lineage tracing, genetic knockouts, and data from O3-exposed human volunteers to define the role and ontogeny of AMØs during acute O3 exposure. Lineage-tracing experiments showed that 12, 24, and 72 hours after exposure to O3 (2 ppm) for 3 hours, all AMØs were of tissue-resident origin. Similarly, in humans exposed to filtered air and O3 (200 ppb) for 135 minutes, we did not observe at ∼21 hours postexposure an increase in monocyte-derived AMØs by flow cytometry. Highlighting a role for tissue-resident AMØs, we demonstrate that depletion of tissue-resident AMØs with clodronate-loaded liposomes led to persistence of neutrophils in the alveolar space after O3 exposure, suggesting that impaired neutrophil clearance (i.e., efferocytosis) leads to prolonged lung inflammation. Moreover, depletion of tissue-resident AMØs demonstrated reduced clearance of intratracheally instilled apoptotic Jurkat cells, consistent with reduced efferocytosis. Genetic ablation of MerTK (MER proto-oncogene, tyrosine kinase), a key receptor involved in efferocytosis, also resulted in impaired clearance of apoptotic neutrophils after O3 exposure. Overall, these findings underscore the pivotal role of tissue-resident AMØs in resolving O3-induced inflammation via MerTK-mediated efferocytosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marissa A Guttenberg
- Division of Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Aaron T Vose
- Division of Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Anastasiya Birukova
- Division of Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Kaitlyn Lewars
- Division of Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina
| | - R Ian Cumming
- Division of Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Michaela C Albright
- Division of Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Jasper I Mark
- Department of Health Sciences, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | - Claudia J Salazar
- Division of Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Suchitra Swaminathan
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Zhan Yu
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Yuliana V Sokolenko
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Elsie Bunyan
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Michael J Yaeger
- Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio; and
| | - Michael B Fessler
- Immunity, Inflammation, and Disease Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina
| | - Loretta G Que
- Division of Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Kymberly M Gowdy
- Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio; and
| | - Alexander V Misharin
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Robert M Tighe
- Division of Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina
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Edvinsson JCA, Ran C, Olofsgård FJ, Steinberg A, Edvinsson L, Belin AC. MERTK in the rat trigeminal system: a potential novel target for cluster headache? J Headache Pain 2024; 25:85. [PMID: 38783191 PMCID: PMC11119394 DOI: 10.1186/s10194-024-01791-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2024] [Accepted: 05/15/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024] Open
Abstract
The trigeminal system is key to the pathophysiology of migraine and cluster headache, two primary headache disorders that share many features. Recently, MER proto-oncogene tyrosine kinase (MERTK), a cell surface receptor, was strongly associated with cluster headache through genetic studies. Further, the MERTK ligand galectin-3 has been found to be elevated in serum of migraine patients. In this study, MERTK and MERTK ligands were investigated in key tissue to better understand their potential implication in the pathophysiology of primary headache disorders. Immunohistochemistry was used to map MERTK and galectin-3 expression in rat trigeminal ganglia. RT-qPCR was used to assess MERTK gene expression in blood, and ELISA immunoassays were used for MERTK ligand quantification in serum from study participants with and without cluster headache. MERTK gene expression was elevated in blood samples from study participants with cluster headache compared to controls. In addition, MERTK ligand galectin-3 was found at increased concentration in the serum of study participants with cluster headache, whereas the levels of MERTK ligands growth arrest specific 6 and protein S unaffected. MERTK and galectin-3 were both expressed in rat trigeminal ganglia. Galectin-3 was primarily localized in smaller neurons and to a lesser extent in C-fibres, while MERTK was found in satellite glia cells and in the outer membrane of Schwann cells. Interestingly, a strong MERTK signal was found specifically in the region proximal to the nodes of Ranvier. The overexpression of MERTK and galectin-3 in tissue from study participants with cluster headache, as well as the presence of MERTK in rat peripheral satellite glia cells and Schwann cells in the trigeminal ganglia, further highlights MERTK signalling as an interesting potential future therapeutic target in primary headache.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacob C A Edvinsson
- Department of Internal Medicine, Lund University, Sölvegatan 19, Lund, 22184, Sweden.
| | - Caroline Ran
- Centre for Cluster Headache, Department of Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, 17177, Sweden
| | | | - Anna Steinberg
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, 17177, Sweden
- Department of Neurology, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, 17176, Sweden
| | - Lars Edvinsson
- Department of Internal Medicine, Lund University, Sölvegatan 19, Lund, 22184, Sweden
| | - Andrea Carmine Belin
- Centre for Cluster Headache, Department of Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, 17177, Sweden
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3
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Ghosh S, Finnemann SC, Vollrath D, Rothlin CV. In the Eyes of the Beholder-New Mertk Knockout Mouse and Re-Evaluation of Phagocytosis versus Anti-Inflammatory Functions of MERTK. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:5299. [PMID: 38791338 PMCID: PMC11121519 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25105299] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2024] [Revised: 04/26/2024] [Accepted: 04/26/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Greg Lemke's laboratory was one of the pioneers of research into the TAM family of receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs). Not only was Tyro3 cloned in his laboratory, but his group also extensively studied mice knocked out for individual or various combinations of the TAM RTKs Tyro3, Axl, and Mertk. Here we primarily focus on one of the paralogs-MERTK. We provide a historical perspective on rodent models of loss of Mertk function and their association with retinal degeneration and blindness. We describe later studies employing mouse genetics and the generation of newer knockout models that point out incongruencies with the inference that loss of MERTK-dependent phagocytosis is sufficient for severe, early-onset photoreceptor degeneration in mice. This discussion is meant to raise awareness with regards to the limitations of the original Mertk knockout mouse model generated using 129 derived embryonic stem cells and carrying 129 derived alleles and the role of these alleles in modifying Mertk knockout phenotypes or even displaying Mertk-independent phenotypes. We also suggest molecular approaches that can further Greg Lemke's scintillating legacy of dissecting the molecular functions of MERTK-a protein that has been described to function in phagocytosis as well as in the negative regulation of inflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sourav Ghosh
- Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
| | - Silvia C. Finnemann
- Center for Cancer, Genetic Diseases and Gene Regulation, Department of Biological Sciences, Fordham University, Bronx, NY 10458, USA;
| | - Douglas Vollrath
- Department of Genetics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA;
| | - Carla V. Rothlin
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
- Department of Immunobiology, School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
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4
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Lahey KC, Varsanyi C, Wang Z, Aquib A, Gadiyar V, Rodrigues AA, Pulica R, Desind S, Davra V, Calianese DC, Liu D, Cho JH, Kotenko SV, De Lorenzo MS, Birge RB. Regulation of Mertk Surface Expression via ADAM17 and γ-Secretase Proteolytic Processing. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:4404. [PMID: 38673989 PMCID: PMC11050108 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25084404] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2024] [Revised: 04/11/2024] [Accepted: 04/12/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Mertk, a type I receptor tyrosine kinase and member of the TAM family of receptors, has important functions in promoting efferocytosis and resolving inflammation under physiological conditions. In recent years, Mertk has also been linked to pathophysiological roles in cancer, whereby, in several cancer types, including solid cancers and leukemia/lymphomas. Mertk contributes to oncogenic features of proliferation and cell survival as an oncogenic tyrosine kinase. In addition, Mertk expressed on macrophages, including tumor-associated macrophages, promotes immune evasion in cancer and is suggested to act akin to a myeloid checkpoint inhibitor that skews macrophages towards inhibitory phenotypes that suppress host T-cell anti-tumor immunity. In the present study, to better understand the post-translational regulation mechanisms controlling Mertk expression in monocytes/macrophages, we used a PMA-differentiated THP-1 cell model to interrogate the regulation of Mertk expression and developed a novel Mertk reporter cell line to study the intracellular trafficking of Mertk. We show that PMA treatment potently up-regulates Mertk as well as components of the ectodomain proteolytic processing platform ADAM17, whereas PMA differentially regulates the canonical Mertk ligands Gas6 and Pros1 (Gas6 is down-regulated and Pros1 is up-regulated). Under non-stimulated homeostatic conditions, Mertk in PMA-differentiated THP1 cells shows active constitutive proteolytic cleavage by the sequential activities of ADAM17 and the Presenilin/γ-secretase complex, indicating that Mertk is cleaved homeostatically by the combined sequential action of ADAM17 and γ-secretase, after which the cleaved intracellular fragment of Mertk is degraded in a proteasome-dependent mechanism. Using chimeric Flag-Mertk-EGFP-Myc reporter receptors, we confirm that inhibitors of γ-secretase and MG132, which inhibits the 26S proteasome, stabilize the intracellular fragment of Mertk without evidence of nuclear translocation. Finally, the treatment of cells with active γ-carboxylated Gas6, but not inactive Warfarin-treated non-γ-carboxylated Gas6, regulates a distinct proteolytic itinerary-involved receptor clearance and lysosomal proteolysis. Together, these results indicate that pleotropic and complex proteolytic activities regulate Mertk ectodomain cleavage as a homeostatic negative regulatory event to safeguard against the overactivation of Mertk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin C. Lahey
- Department of Microbiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Center for Cell Signaling, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, 205 South Orange Ave, Newark, NJ 07103, USA; (K.C.L.); (C.V.); (Z.W.); (A.A.); (A.A.R.); (R.P.); (S.D.); (V.D.); (D.C.C.); (S.V.K.)
| | - Christopher Varsanyi
- Department of Microbiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Center for Cell Signaling, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, 205 South Orange Ave, Newark, NJ 07103, USA; (K.C.L.); (C.V.); (Z.W.); (A.A.); (A.A.R.); (R.P.); (S.D.); (V.D.); (D.C.C.); (S.V.K.)
| | - Ziren Wang
- Department of Microbiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Center for Cell Signaling, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, 205 South Orange Ave, Newark, NJ 07103, USA; (K.C.L.); (C.V.); (Z.W.); (A.A.); (A.A.R.); (R.P.); (S.D.); (V.D.); (D.C.C.); (S.V.K.)
| | - Ahmed Aquib
- Department of Microbiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Center for Cell Signaling, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, 205 South Orange Ave, Newark, NJ 07103, USA; (K.C.L.); (C.V.); (Z.W.); (A.A.); (A.A.R.); (R.P.); (S.D.); (V.D.); (D.C.C.); (S.V.K.)
| | - Varsha Gadiyar
- Department of Microbiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Center for Cell Signaling, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, 205 South Orange Ave, Newark, NJ 07103, USA; (K.C.L.); (C.V.); (Z.W.); (A.A.); (A.A.R.); (R.P.); (S.D.); (V.D.); (D.C.C.); (S.V.K.)
| | - Alcina A. Rodrigues
- Department of Microbiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Center for Cell Signaling, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, 205 South Orange Ave, Newark, NJ 07103, USA; (K.C.L.); (C.V.); (Z.W.); (A.A.); (A.A.R.); (R.P.); (S.D.); (V.D.); (D.C.C.); (S.V.K.)
| | - Rachael Pulica
- Department of Microbiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Center for Cell Signaling, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, 205 South Orange Ave, Newark, NJ 07103, USA; (K.C.L.); (C.V.); (Z.W.); (A.A.); (A.A.R.); (R.P.); (S.D.); (V.D.); (D.C.C.); (S.V.K.)
| | - Samuel Desind
- Department of Microbiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Center for Cell Signaling, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, 205 South Orange Ave, Newark, NJ 07103, USA; (K.C.L.); (C.V.); (Z.W.); (A.A.); (A.A.R.); (R.P.); (S.D.); (V.D.); (D.C.C.); (S.V.K.)
| | - Viralkumar Davra
- Department of Microbiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Center for Cell Signaling, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, 205 South Orange Ave, Newark, NJ 07103, USA; (K.C.L.); (C.V.); (Z.W.); (A.A.); (A.A.R.); (R.P.); (S.D.); (V.D.); (D.C.C.); (S.V.K.)
| | - David C. Calianese
- Department of Microbiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Center for Cell Signaling, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, 205 South Orange Ave, Newark, NJ 07103, USA; (K.C.L.); (C.V.); (Z.W.); (A.A.); (A.A.R.); (R.P.); (S.D.); (V.D.); (D.C.C.); (S.V.K.)
| | - Dongfang Liu
- Department of Pathology, Immunology and Laboratory Medicine, Center for Immunity and Inflammation, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ 07101, USA; (D.L.); (J.-H.C.)
| | - Jong-Hyun Cho
- Department of Pathology, Immunology and Laboratory Medicine, Center for Immunity and Inflammation, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ 07101, USA; (D.L.); (J.-H.C.)
| | - Sergei V. Kotenko
- Department of Microbiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Center for Cell Signaling, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, 205 South Orange Ave, Newark, NJ 07103, USA; (K.C.L.); (C.V.); (Z.W.); (A.A.); (A.A.R.); (R.P.); (S.D.); (V.D.); (D.C.C.); (S.V.K.)
| | - Mariana S. De Lorenzo
- Department of Cell Biology and Molecular Medicine, New Jersey Medical School, 185 South Orange Ave, Newark, NJ 07103, USA;
| | - Raymond B. Birge
- Department of Microbiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Center for Cell Signaling, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, 205 South Orange Ave, Newark, NJ 07103, USA; (K.C.L.); (C.V.); (Z.W.); (A.A.); (A.A.R.); (R.P.); (S.D.); (V.D.); (D.C.C.); (S.V.K.)
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5
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Miao YR, Rankin EB, Giaccia AJ. Therapeutic targeting of the functionally elusive TAM receptor family. Nat Rev Drug Discov 2024; 23:201-217. [PMID: 38092952 DOI: 10.1038/s41573-023-00846-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/02/2023] [Indexed: 03/07/2024]
Abstract
The TAM receptor family of TYRO3, AXL and MERTK regulates tissue and immune homeostasis. Aberrant TAM receptor signalling has been linked to a range of diseases, including cancer, fibrosis and viral infections. Specifically, the dysregulation of TAM receptors can enhance tumour growth and metastasis due to their involvement in multiple oncogenic pathways. For example, TAM receptors have been implicated in the epithelial-mesenchymal transition, maintaining the stem cell phenotype, immune modulation, proliferation, angiogenesis and resistance to conventional and targeted therapies. Therapeutically, multiple TAM receptor inhibitors are in preclinical and clinical development for cancers and other indications, with those targeting AXL being the most clinically advanced. Although there has been notable clinical advancement in recent years, challenges persist. This Review aims to provide both biological and clinical insights into the current therapeutic landscape of TAM receptor inhibitors, and evaluates their potential for the treatment of cancer and non-malignant diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Rebecca Miao
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Erinn B Rankin
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
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Leroy V, Manual Kollareth DJ, Tu Z, Valisno JAC, Woolet-Stockton M, Saha B, Emtiazjoo AM, Rackauskas M, Moldawer LL, Efron PA, Cai G, Atkinson C, Upchurch GR, Sharma AK. MerTK-dependent efferocytosis by monocytic-MDSCs mediates resolution of post-lung transplant injury. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.01.18.576261. [PMID: 38328174 PMCID: PMC10849528 DOI: 10.1101/2024.01.18.576261] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/09/2024]
Abstract
Rationale Patients with end stage lung diseases require lung transplantation (LTx) that can be impeded by ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) leading to subsequent chronic lung allograft dysfunction (CLAD) and inadequate outcomes. Objectives We examined the undefined role of MerTK (receptor Mer tyrosine kinase) on monocytic myeloid-derived suppressor cells (M-MDSCs) in efferocytosis (phagocytosis of apoptotic cells) to facilitate resolution of lung IRI. Methods Single-cell RNA sequencing of lung tissue and BAL from post-LTx patients was analyzed. Murine lung hilar ligation and allogeneic orthotopic LTx models of IRI were used with Balb/c (WT), cebpb -/- (MDSC-deficient), Mertk -/- or MerTK-CR (cleavage resistant) mice. Lung function, IRI (inflammatory cytokine and myeloperoxidase expression, immunohistology for neutrophil infiltration), and flow cytometry of lung tissue for efferocytosis of apoptotic neutrophils were assessed in mice. Measurements and Main Results A significant downregulation in MerTK-related efferocytosis genes in M-MDSC populations of CLAD patients compared to healthy subjects was observed. In the murine IRI model, significant increase in M-MDSCs, MerTK expression and efferocytosis was observed in WT mice during resolution phase that was absent in cebpb -/- Land Mertk -/- mice. Adoptive transfer of M-MDSCs in cebpb -/- mice significantly attenuated lung dysfunction, and inflammation leading to resolution of IRI. Additionally, in a preclinical murine orthotopic LTx model, increases in M-MDSCs were associated with resolution of lung IRI in the transplant recipients. In vitro studies demonstrated the ability of M-MDSCs to efferocytose apoptotic neutrophils in a MerTK-dependent manner. Conclusions Our results suggest that MerTK-dependent efferocytosis by M-MDSCs can significantly contribute to the resolution of post-LTx IRI.
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Martínez-Ramos S, Rafael-Vidal C, Malvar-Fernández B, Pérez N, Mouriño C, Pérez SG, Maceiras Pan FJ, Conde C, Pego-Reigosa JM, García S. Semaphorin3B promotes an anti-inflammatory and pro-resolving phenotype in macrophages from rheumatoid arthritis patients in a MerTK-dependent manner. Front Immunol 2024; 14:1268144. [PMID: 38283352 PMCID: PMC10811190 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1268144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2023] [Accepted: 12/26/2023] [Indexed: 01/30/2024] Open
Abstract
Previous works from our group show that Semaphorin3B (Sema3B) is reduced in RA and plays a protective role in a mouse arthritis model. In turn, MerTK plays a protective function in murine arthritis models, is expressed by synovial tissue macrophages and is linked to remission in patients with RA. In this study, we examined the role of Sema3B in the phenotypic characteristics of RA macrophages and the implication of MerTK. Peripheral blood monocytes from RA patients were differentiated into IFN-γ (RA MØIFN-γ) or M-CSF (RA MØM-CSF) macrophages and stimulated with LPS, Sema3B or their combination. Alternatively, RA fibroblast like synoviocytes (FLS) were stimulated with RA MØIFN-γ and RA MØM-CSF supernatants. Gene expression was determined by qPCR and protein expression and activation by flow cytometry, ELISA and western blot. Sema3B down-regulated the expression of pro-inflammatory mediators, in both RA MØIFN-γ and RA MØM-CSF. We observed a similar reduction in RA FLS stimulated with the supernatant of Sema3B-treated RA MØIFN-γ and RA MØM-CSF. Sema3B also modulated cell surface markers in macrophages towards an anti-inflammatory phenotype. Besides, MerTK expression and activation was up-regulated by Sema3B, just as GAS6 expression, Resolvin D1 secretion and the phagocytic activity of macrophages. Importantly, the inhibition of MerTK and neuropilins 1 and 2 abrogated the anti-inflammatory effect of Sema3B. Our data demonstrate that Sema3B modulates the macrophage characteristics in RA, inducing a skewing towards an anti-inflammatory/pro-resolving phenotype in a MerTK-dependant manner. Therefore, here we identify a new mechanism supporting the protective role of Sema3B in RA pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Martínez-Ramos
- Rheumatology and Immuno-mediated Diseases Research Group (IRIDIS), Galicia Sur Health Research Institute (IIS Galicia Sur), SERGAS-UVIGO, Vigo, Spain
- Rheumatology Department, University Hospital Complex of Vigo, Vigo, Spain
| | - Carlos Rafael-Vidal
- Rheumatology and Immuno-mediated Diseases Research Group (IRIDIS), Galicia Sur Health Research Institute (IIS Galicia Sur), SERGAS-UVIGO, Vigo, Spain
- Rheumatology Department, University Hospital Complex of Vigo, Vigo, Spain
| | - Beatriz Malvar-Fernández
- Rheumatology and Immuno-mediated Diseases Research Group (IRIDIS), Galicia Sur Health Research Institute (IIS Galicia Sur), SERGAS-UVIGO, Vigo, Spain
- Rheumatology Department, University Hospital Complex of Vigo, Vigo, Spain
| | - Nair Pérez
- Rheumatology and Immuno-mediated Diseases Research Group (IRIDIS), Galicia Sur Health Research Institute (IIS Galicia Sur), SERGAS-UVIGO, Vigo, Spain
- Rheumatology Department, University Hospital Complex of Vigo, Vigo, Spain
| | - Coral Mouriño
- Rheumatology and Immuno-mediated Diseases Research Group (IRIDIS), Galicia Sur Health Research Institute (IIS Galicia Sur), SERGAS-UVIGO, Vigo, Spain
- Rheumatology Department, University Hospital Complex of Vigo, Vigo, Spain
| | - Sara García Pérez
- Rheumatology and Immuno-mediated Diseases Research Group (IRIDIS), Galicia Sur Health Research Institute (IIS Galicia Sur), SERGAS-UVIGO, Vigo, Spain
- Rheumatology Department, University Hospital Complex of Vigo, Vigo, Spain
| | - Francisco J. Maceiras Pan
- Rheumatology and Immuno-mediated Diseases Research Group (IRIDIS), Galicia Sur Health Research Institute (IIS Galicia Sur), SERGAS-UVIGO, Vigo, Spain
- Rheumatology Department, University Hospital Complex of Vigo, Vigo, Spain
| | - Carmen Conde
- Laboratorio de Reumatologia Experimental y Observacional y Servicio de Reumatologia, Instituto de Investigacion Sanitaria de Santiago (IDIS), Hospital Clinico Universitario de Santiago de Compostela (CHUS), Servizo Galego de Saude (SERGAS), Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Jose María Pego-Reigosa
- Rheumatology and Immuno-mediated Diseases Research Group (IRIDIS), Galicia Sur Health Research Institute (IIS Galicia Sur), SERGAS-UVIGO, Vigo, Spain
- Rheumatology Department, University Hospital Complex of Vigo, Vigo, Spain
| | - Samuel García
- Rheumatology and Immuno-mediated Diseases Research Group (IRIDIS), Galicia Sur Health Research Institute (IIS Galicia Sur), SERGAS-UVIGO, Vigo, Spain
- Rheumatology Department, University Hospital Complex of Vigo, Vigo, Spain
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8
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Guttenberg M, Vose A, Birukova A, Lewars K, Cumming R, Albright M, Mark J, Salazar C, Swaminathan S, Yu Z, Sokolenko Y, Bunyan E, Yaeger M, Fessler M, Que L, Gowdy K, Misharin A, Tighe R. Tissue-resident alveolar macrophages reduce O 3-induced inflammation via MerTK mediated efferocytosis. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.11.06.565865. [PMID: 37986982 PMCID: PMC10659406 DOI: 10.1101/2023.11.06.565865] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2023]
Abstract
Lung inflammation, caused by acute exposure to ozone (O3) - one of the six criteria air pollutants - is a significant source of morbidity in susceptible individuals. Alveolar macrophages (AMØs) are the most abundant immune cells in the normal lung and their number increases following O3 exposure. However, the role of AMØs in promoting or limiting O3-induced lung inflammation has not been clearly defined. Here, we used a mouse model of acute O3 exposure, lineage tracing, genetic knockouts, and data from O3-exposed human volunteers to define the role and ontogeny of AMØs during acute O3 exposure. Lineage tracing experiments showed that 12, 24, and 72 h after exposure to O3 (2 ppm) for 3h all AMØs were tissue-resident origin. Similarly, in humans exposed to FA and O3 (200 ppb) for 135 minutes, we did not observe ~21h post-exposure an increase in monocyte-derived AMØs by flow cytometry. Highlighting a role for tissue-resident AMØs, we demonstrate that depletion of tissue-resident AMØs with clodronate-loaded liposomes led to persistence of neutrophils in the alveolar space after O3 exposure, suggesting that impaired neutrophil clearance (i.e., efferocytosis) leads to prolonged lung inflammation. Moreover, depletion of tissue-resident AMØ demonstrated reduced clearance of intratracheally instilled apoptotic Jurkat cells, consistent with reduced efferocytosis. Genetic ablation of MerTK - a key receptor involved in efferocytosis - also resulted in impaired clearance of apoptotic neutrophils followed O3 exposure. Overall, these findings underscore the pivotal role of tissue-resident AMØs in resolving O3-induced inflammation via MerTK-mediated efferocytosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- M.A. Guttenberg
- Division of Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, Duke University, Durham, NC
| | - A.T. Vose
- Division of Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, Duke University, Durham, NC
| | - A. Birukova
- Division of Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, Duke University, Durham, NC
| | - K. Lewars
- Division of Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, Duke University, Durham, NC
| | - R.I. Cumming
- Division of Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, Duke University, Durham, NC
| | - M.C. Albright
- Division of Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, Duke University, Durham, NC
| | - J.I. Mark
- Department of Health Sciences, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - C.J. Salazar
- Division of Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, Duke University, Durham, NC
| | - S. Swaminathan
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL
| | - Z. Yu
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL
| | - Yu.V. Sokolenko
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL
| | - E. Bunyan
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL
| | - M.J. Yaeger
- Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH
| | - M.B. Fessler
- Immunity, Inflammation and Disease Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, NIH, Research Triangle Park, NC
| | - L.G. Que
- Division of Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, Duke University, Durham, NC
| | - K.M. Gowdy
- Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH
| | - A.V. Misharin
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL
| | - R.M. Tighe
- Division of Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, Duke University, Durham, NC
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9
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Chakraborty S, Singh A, Wang L, Wang X, Sanborn MA, Ye Z, Maienschein-Cline M, Mukhopadhyay A, Ganesh BB, Malik AB, Rehman J. Trained immunity of alveolar macrophages enhances injury resolution via KLF4-MERTK-mediated efferocytosis. J Exp Med 2023; 220:e20221388. [PMID: 37615937 PMCID: PMC10450795 DOI: 10.1084/jem.20221388] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2022] [Revised: 05/19/2023] [Accepted: 08/02/2023] [Indexed: 08/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Recent studies suggest that training of innate immune cells such as tissue-resident macrophages by repeated noxious stimuli can heighten host defense responses. However, it remains unclear whether trained immunity of tissue-resident macrophages also enhances injury resolution to counterbalance the heightened inflammatory responses. Here, we studied lung-resident alveolar macrophages (AMs) prechallenged with either the bacterial endotoxin or with Pseudomonas aeruginosa and observed that these trained AMs showed greater resilience to pathogen-induced cell death. Transcriptomic analysis and functional assays showed greater capacity of trained AMs for efferocytosis of cellular debris and injury resolution. Single-cell high-dimensional mass cytometry analysis and lineage tracing demonstrated that training induces an expansion of a MERTKhiMarcohiCD163+F4/80low lung-resident AM subset with a proresolving phenotype. Reprogrammed AMs upregulated expression of the efferocytosis receptor MERTK mediated by the transcription factor KLF4. Adoptive transfer of these trained AMs restricted inflammatory lung injury in recipient mice exposed to lethal P. aeruginosa. Thus, our study has identified a subset of tissue-resident trained macrophages that prevent hyperinflammation and restore tissue homeostasis following repeated pathogen challenges.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sreeparna Chakraborty
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Illinois College of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Abhalaxmi Singh
- Department of Pharmacology and Regenerative Medicine, University of Illinois College of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Li Wang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Illinois College of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, University of Illinois College of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Xinge Wang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Illinois College of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, University of Illinois College of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Illinois College of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Mark A. Sanborn
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Illinois College of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, University of Illinois College of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Zijing Ye
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Illinois College of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, University of Illinois College of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
| | | | - Amitabha Mukhopadhyay
- Department of Pharmacology and Regenerative Medicine, University of Illinois College of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Balaji B. Ganesh
- Research Resources Center, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Asrar B. Malik
- Department of Pharmacology and Regenerative Medicine, University of Illinois College of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Jalees Rehman
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Illinois College of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
- Department of Pharmacology and Regenerative Medicine, University of Illinois College of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, University of Illinois College of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Illinois College of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
- University of Illinois Cancer Center, Chicago, IL, USA
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10
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Li V, Binder MD, Kilpatrick TJ. The Tolerogenic Influence of Dexamethasone on Dendritic Cells Is Accompanied by the Induction of Efferocytosis, Promoted by MERTK. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:15903. [PMID: 37958886 PMCID: PMC10650502 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242115903] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2023] [Revised: 10/26/2023] [Accepted: 10/31/2023] [Indexed: 11/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Many treatments for autoimmune diseases, caused by the loss of immune self-tolerance, are broadly immunosuppressive. Dendritic cells (DCs) can be induced to develop anti-inflammatory/tolerogenic properties to suppress aberrant self-directed immunity by promoting immune tolerance in an antigen-specific manner. Dexamethasone can generate tolerogenic DCs and upregulates MERTK expression. As MERTK can inhibit inflammation, we investigated whether dexamethasone's tolerogenic effects are mediated via MERTK, potentially providing a novel therapeutic approach. Monocyte-derived DCs were treated with dexamethasone, and with and without MERTK ligands or MERTK inhibitors. Flow cytometry was used to assess effects of MERTK modulation on co-stimulatory molecule expression, efferocytosis, cytokine secretion and T cell proliferation. The influence on expression of Rab17, which coordinates the diversion of efferocytosed material away from cell surface presentation, was assessed. Dexamethasone-treated DCs had upregulated MERTK expression, decreased expression of co-stimulatory molecules, maturation and proliferation of co-cultured T cells and increased uptake of myelin debris. MERTK ligands did not potentiate these properties, whilst specific MERTK inhibition only reversed dexamethasone's effect on myelin uptake. Cells undergoing efferocytosis had higher Rab17 expression. Dexamethasone-enhanced efferocytosis in DCs is MERTK-dependent and could exert its tolerogenic effects by increasing Rab17 expression to prevent the presentation of efferocytosed material on the cell surface to activate adaptive immune responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vivien Li
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia; (M.D.B.); (T.J.K.)
| | - Michele D. Binder
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia; (M.D.B.); (T.J.K.)
- Department of Anatomy and Physiology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia
| | - Trevor J. Kilpatrick
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia; (M.D.B.); (T.J.K.)
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11
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DeRyckere D, Huelse JM, Earp HS, Graham DK. TAM family kinases as therapeutic targets at the interface of cancer and immunity. Nat Rev Clin Oncol 2023; 20:755-779. [PMID: 37667010 DOI: 10.1038/s41571-023-00813-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/07/2023] [Indexed: 09/06/2023]
Abstract
Novel treatment approaches are needed to overcome innate and acquired mechanisms of resistance to current anticancer therapies in cancer cells and the tumour immune microenvironment. The TAM (TYRO3, AXL and MERTK) family receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) are potential therapeutic targets in a wide range of cancers. In cancer cells, TAM RTKs activate signalling pathways that promote cell survival, metastasis and resistance to a variety of chemotherapeutic agents and targeted therapies. TAM RTKs also function in innate immune cells, contributing to various mechanisms that suppress antitumour immunity and promote resistance to immune-checkpoint inhibitors. Therefore, TAM antagonists provide an unprecedented opportunity for both direct and immune-mediated therapeutic activity provided by inhibition of a single target, and are likely to be particularly effective when used in combination with other cancer therapies. To exploit this potential, a variety of agents have been designed to selectively target TAM RTKs, many of which have now entered clinical testing. This Review provides an essential guide to the TAM RTKs for clinicians, including an overview of the rationale for therapeutic targeting of TAM RTKs in cancer cells and the tumour immune microenvironment, a description of the current preclinical and clinical experience with TAM inhibitors, and a perspective on strategies for continued development of TAM-targeted agents for oncology applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deborah DeRyckere
- Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Department of Paediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Justus M Huelse
- Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Department of Paediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - H Shelton Earp
- Department of Medicine, UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Douglas K Graham
- Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, GA, USA.
- Department of Paediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA.
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12
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Lieffrig SA, Gyimesi G, Mao Y, Finnemann SC. Clearance phagocytosis by the retinal pigment epithelial during photoreceptor outer segment renewal: Molecular mechanisms and relation to retinal inflammation. Immunol Rev 2023; 319:81-99. [PMID: 37555340 PMCID: PMC10615845 DOI: 10.1111/imr.13264] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2023] [Accepted: 07/18/2023] [Indexed: 08/10/2023]
Abstract
Mammalian photoreceptor outer segment renewal is a highly coordinated process that hinges on timed cell signaling between photoreceptor neurons and the adjacent retinal pigment epithelial (RPE). It is a strictly rhythmic, synchronized process that underlies in part circadian regulation. We highlight findings from recently developed methods that quantify distinct phases of outer segment renewal in retinal tissue. At light onset, outer segments expose the conserved "eat-me" signal phosphatidylserine exclusively at their distal, most aged tip. A coordinated two-receptor efferocytosis process follows, in which ligands bridge outer segment phosphatidylserine with the RPE receptors αvβ5 integrin, inducing cytosolic signaling toward Rac1 and focal adhesion kinase/MERTK, and with MERTK directly, additionally inhibiting RhoA/ROCK and thus enabling F-actin dynamics favoring outer segment fragment engulfment. Photoreceptors and RPE persist for life with each RPE cell in the eye servicing dozens of overlying photoreceptors. Thus, RPE cells phagocytose more often and process more material than any other cell type. Mutant mice with impaired outer segment renewal largely retain functional photoreceptors and retinal integrity. However, when anti-inflammatory signaling in the RPE via MERTK or the related TYRO3 is lacking, catastrophic inflammation leads to immune cell infiltration that swiftly destroys the retina causing blindness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie A. Lieffrig
- Center for Cancer, Genetic Diseases and Gene Regulation, Department of Biological Sciences, Fordham University, Bronx, NY
| | - Gavin Gyimesi
- Center for Cancer, Genetic Diseases and Gene Regulation, Department of Biological Sciences, Fordham University, Bronx, NY
| | | | - Silvia C. Finnemann
- Center for Cancer, Genetic Diseases and Gene Regulation, Department of Biological Sciences, Fordham University, Bronx, NY
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13
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Burstyn-Cohen T, Fresia R. TAM receptors in phagocytosis: Beyond the mere internalization of particles. Immunol Rev 2023; 319:7-26. [PMID: 37596991 DOI: 10.1111/imr.13267] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2023] [Accepted: 07/18/2023] [Indexed: 08/21/2023]
Abstract
TYRO3, AXL, and MERTK constitute the TAM family of receptor tyrosine kinases, activated by their ligands GAS6 and PROS1. TAMs are necessary for adult homeostasis in the immune, nervous, reproductive, skeletal, and vascular systems. Among additional cellular functions employed by TAMs, phagocytosis is central for tissue health. TAM receptors are dominant in providing phagocytes with the molecular machinery necessary to engulf diverse targets, including apoptotic cells, myelin debris, and portions of live cells in a phosphatidylserine-dependent manner. Simultaneously, TAMs drive the release of anti-inflammatory and tissue repair molecules. Disruption of the TAM-driven phagocytic pathway has detrimental consequences, resulting in autoimmunity, male infertility, blindness, and disrupted vascular integrity, and which is thought to contribute to neurodegenerative diseases. Although structurally and functionally redundant, the TAM receptors and ligands underlie complex signaling cascades, of which several key aspects are yet to be elucidated. We discuss similarities and differences between TAMs and other phagocytic pathways, highlight future directions and how TAMs can be harnessed therapeutically to modulate phagocytosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tal Burstyn-Cohen
- The Institute for Biomedical and Oral Research, Faculty of Dental Medicine, The Hebrew University, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Roberta Fresia
- The Institute for Biomedical and Oral Research, Faculty of Dental Medicine, The Hebrew University, Jerusalem, Israel
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14
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Happonen KE, Burrola PG, Lemke G. Regulation of brain endothelial cell physiology by the TAM receptor tyrosine kinase Mer. Commun Biol 2023; 6:916. [PMID: 37673933 PMCID: PMC10482977 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-023-05287-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2023] [Accepted: 08/25/2023] [Indexed: 09/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The receptor tyrosine kinase Mer (gene name Mertk) acts in vascular endothelial cells (ECs) to tighten the blood-brain barrier (BBB) subsequent to viral infection, but how this is achieved is poorly understood. We find that Mer controls the expression and activity of a large cohort of BBB regulators, along with endothelial nitric oxide synthase. It also controls, via an Akt-Foxo1 pathway, the expression of multiple angiogenic genes. Correspondingly, EC-specific Mertk gene inactivation resulted in perturbed vascular sprouting and a compromised BBB after induced photothrombotic stroke. Unexpectedly, stroke lesions in the brain were also reduced in the absence of EC Mer, which was linked to reduced plasma expression of fibrinogen, prothrombin, and other effectors of blood coagulation. Together, these results demonstrate that Mer is a central regulator of angiogenesis, BBB integrity, and blood coagulation in the mature vasculature. They may also account for disease severity following infection with the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaisa E Happonen
- Molecular Neurobiology Laboratory, The Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| | - Patrick G Burrola
- Molecular Neurobiology Laboratory, The Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| | - Greg Lemke
- Molecular Neurobiology Laboratory, The Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA.
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15
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Gadiyar V, Patel G, Chen J, Vigil D, Ji N, Campbell V, Sharma K, Shi Y, Weiss MM, Birge RB, Davra V. Targeted degradation of MERTK and other TAM receptor paralogs by heterobifunctional targeted protein degraders. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1135373. [PMID: 37545504 PMCID: PMC10397400 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1135373] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2022] [Accepted: 05/26/2023] [Indexed: 08/08/2023] Open
Abstract
TAM receptors (TYRO3, AXL, and MERTK) comprise a family of homologous receptor tyrosine kinases (RTK) that are expressed across a range of liquid and solid tumors where they contribute to both oncogenic signaling to promote tumor proliferation and survival, as well as expressed on myeloid and immune cells where they function to suppress host anti-tumor immunity. In recent years, several strategies have been employed to inhibit TAM kinases, most notably small molecule tyrosine kinase inhibitors and inhibitory neutralizing monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) that block receptor dimerization. Targeted protein degraders (TPD) use the ubiquitin proteasome pathway to redirect E3 ubiquitin ligase activity and target specific proteins for degradation. Here we employ first-in-class TPDs specific for MERTK/TAMs that consist of a cereblon E3 ligase binder linked to a tyrosine kinase inhibitor targeting MERTK and/or AXL and TYRO3. A series of MERTK TPDs were designed and investigated for their capacity to selectively degrade MERTK chimeric receptors, reduce surface expression on primary efferocytic bone marrow-derived macrophages, and impact on functional reduction in efferocytosis (clearance of apoptotic cells). We demonstrate proof-of-concept and establish that TPDs can be tailored to either selectivity degrades MERTK or concurrently degrade multiple TAMs and modulate receptor expression in vitro and in vivo. This work demonstrates the utility of proteome editing, enabled by tool degraders developed here towards dissecting the therapeutically relevant pathway biology in preclinical models, and the ability for TPDs to degrade transmembrane proteins. These data also provide proof of concept that TPDs may serve as a viable therapeutic strategy for targeting MERTK and other TAMs and that this technology could be expanded to other therapeutically relevant transmembrane proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Varsha Gadiyar
- Department of Microbiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Cancer Center, Rutgers- New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ, United States
| | - Gopi Patel
- Department of Microbiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Cancer Center, Rutgers- New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ, United States
| | - Jesse Chen
- Department of Research and Development, Kymera Therapeutics, Watertown, MA, United States
| | - Dominico Vigil
- Department of Research and Development, Kymera Therapeutics, Watertown, MA, United States
| | - Nan Ji
- Department of Research and Development, Kymera Therapeutics, Watertown, MA, United States
| | - Veronica Campbell
- Department of Research and Development, Kymera Therapeutics, Watertown, MA, United States
| | - Kirti Sharma
- Department of Research and Development, Kymera Therapeutics, Watertown, MA, United States
| | - Yatao Shi
- Department of Research and Development, Kymera Therapeutics, Watertown, MA, United States
| | - Matthew M. Weiss
- Department of Research and Development, Kymera Therapeutics, Watertown, MA, United States
| | - Raymond B. Birge
- Department of Microbiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Cancer Center, Rutgers- New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ, United States
| | - Viralkumar Davra
- Department of Microbiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Cancer Center, Rutgers- New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ, United States
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16
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Stewart KS, Gonzales KAU, Yuan S, Tierney MT, Bonny AR, Yang Y, Infarinato NR, Cowley CJ, Levorse JM, Pasolli HA, Ghosh S, Rothlin CV, Fuchs E. Stem cells tightly regulate dead cell clearance to maintain tissue fitness. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.05.22.541773. [PMID: 37293114 PMCID: PMC10245816 DOI: 10.1101/2023.05.22.541773] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Macrophages and dendritic cells have long been appreciated for their ability to migrate to and engulf dying cells and debris, including some of the billions of cells that are naturally eliminated from our body daily. However, a substantial number of these dying cells are cleared by 'non-professional phagocytes', local epithelial cells that are critical to organismal fitness. How non-professional phagocytes sense and digest nearby apoptotic corpses while still performing their normal tissue functions is unclear. Here, we explore the molecular mechanisms underlying their multifunctionality. Exploiting the cyclical bouts of tissue regeneration and degeneration during the hair cycle, we show that stem cells can transiently become non-professional phagocytes when confronted with dying cells. Adoption of this phagocytic state requires both local lipids produced by apoptotic corpses to activate RXRα, and tissue-specific retinoids for RARγ activation. This dual factor dependency enables tight regulation of the genes requisite to activate phagocytic apoptotic clearance. The tunable phagocytic program we describe here offers an effective mechanism to offset phagocytic duties against the primary stem cell function of replenishing differentiated cells to preserve tissue integrity during homeostasis. Our findings have broad implications for other non-motile stem or progenitor cells which experience cell death in an immune-privileged niche.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine S Stewart
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Robin Chemers Neustein Laboratory of Mammalian Cell Biology and Development, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Kevin AU Gonzales
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Robin Chemers Neustein Laboratory of Mammalian Cell Biology and Development, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Shaopeng Yuan
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Robin Chemers Neustein Laboratory of Mammalian Cell Biology and Development, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Matthew T Tierney
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Robin Chemers Neustein Laboratory of Mammalian Cell Biology and Development, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Alain R Bonny
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Robin Chemers Neustein Laboratory of Mammalian Cell Biology and Development, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Yihao Yang
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Robin Chemers Neustein Laboratory of Mammalian Cell Biology and Development, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Nicole R Infarinato
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Robin Chemers Neustein Laboratory of Mammalian Cell Biology and Development, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Christopher J Cowley
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Robin Chemers Neustein Laboratory of Mammalian Cell Biology and Development, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, USA
| | - John M Levorse
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Robin Chemers Neustein Laboratory of Mammalian Cell Biology and Development, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Hilda Amalia Pasolli
- Electron Microscopy Resource Center, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Sourav Ghosh
- Departments of Neurology and Pharmacology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Carla V Rothlin
- Departments of Immunobiology and Pharmacology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Elaine Fuchs
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Robin Chemers Neustein Laboratory of Mammalian Cell Biology and Development, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, USA
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17
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Lantz C, Thorp EB. Metabolism: How removal of damaged cells impacts energy availability in the retina. Curr Biol 2023; 33:R279-R282. [PMID: 37040713 PMCID: PMC10410992 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2023.02.044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/13/2023]
Abstract
Once thought to be a quiescent process, elimination of damaged cells by professional phagocytes is now understood to modulate metabolite availability within tissues. A new study reveals that the retinal pigment epithelium serves as a local source of insulin after engulfment of damaged photoreceptors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Connor Lantz
- Department of Pathology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA; Feinberg Cardiovascular and Renal Research Institute, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA.
| | - Edward B Thorp
- Department of Pathology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA; Feinberg Cardiovascular and Renal Research Institute, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA; Department of Pediatrics, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA; The Heart Center, Stanley Manne Children's Research Institute, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA.
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18
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Cruz Cruz J, Allison KC, Page LS, Jenkins AJ, Wang X, Earp HS, Frye SV, Graham DK, Verneris MR, Lee-Sherick AB. Inhibiting efferocytosis reverses macrophage-mediated immunosuppression in the leukemia microenvironment. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1146721. [PMID: 36960055 PMCID: PMC10027704 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1146721] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2023] [Accepted: 02/20/2023] [Indexed: 03/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Previous studies show that the spleen and bone marrow can serve as leukemia microenvironments in which macrophages play a significant role in immune evasion and chemoresistance. We hypothesized that the macrophage driven tolerogenic process of efferocytosis is a major contributor to the immunosuppressive leukemia microenvironment and that this was driven by aberrant phosphatidylserine expression from cell turnover and cell membrane dysregulation. Methods Since MerTK is the prototypic efferocytosis receptor, we assessed whether the MerTK inhibitor MRX2843, which is currently in clinical trials, would reverse immune evasion and enhance immune-mediated clearance of leukemia cells. Results We found that inhibition of MerTK decreased leukemia-associated macrophage expression of M2 markers PD-L1, PD-L2, Tim-3, CD163 and Arginase-1 compared to vehicle-treated controls. Additionally, MerTK inhibition led to M1 macrophage repolarization including elevated CD86 and HLA-DR expression, and increased production of T cell activating cytokines, including IFN-β, IL-18, and IL-1β through activation of NF-κB. Collectively, this macrophage repolarization had downstream effects on T cells within the leukemia microenvironment, including decreased PD-1+Tim-3+ and LAG3+ checkpoint expression, and increased CD69+CD107a+ expression. Discussion These results demonstrate that MerTK inhibition using MRX2843 altered the leukemia microenvironment from tumor-permissive toward immune responsiveness to leukemia and culminated in improved immune-mediated clearance of AML.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joselyn Cruz Cruz
- Division of Pediatric Hematology, Oncology, and Bone Marrow Transplant, University of Colorado, Aurora, CO, United States
| | - Kristen C. Allison
- Division of Pediatric Hematology, Oncology, and Bone Marrow Transplant, University of Colorado, Aurora, CO, United States
| | - Lauren S. Page
- Division of Pediatric Hematology, Oncology, and Bone Marrow Transplant, University of Colorado, Aurora, CO, United States
| | - Alexis J. Jenkins
- Division of Pediatric Hematology, Oncology, and Bone Marrow Transplant, University of Colorado, Aurora, CO, United States
| | - Xiaodong Wang
- Center for Integrative Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - H. Shelton Earp
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, Departments of Medicine and Pharmacology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Stephen V. Frye
- Center for Integrative Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Douglas K. Graham
- Department of Pediatrics, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Michael R. Verneris
- Division of Pediatric Hematology, Oncology, and Bone Marrow Transplant, University of Colorado, Aurora, CO, United States
| | - Alisa B. Lee-Sherick
- Division of Pediatric Hematology, Oncology, and Bone Marrow Transplant, University of Colorado, Aurora, CO, United States
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19
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Iker Etchegaray J, Kelley S, Penberthy K, Karvelyte L, Nagasaka Y, Gasperino S, Paul S, Seshadri V, Raymond M, Marco AR, Pinney J, Stremska M, Barron B, Lucas C, Wase N, Fan Y, Unanue E, Kundu B, Burstyn-Cohen T, Perry J, Ambati J, Ravichandran KS. Phagocytosis in the retina promotes local insulin production in the eye. Nat Metab 2023; 5:207-218. [PMID: 36732622 PMCID: PMC10457724 DOI: 10.1038/s42255-022-00728-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2022] [Accepted: 12/16/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
The retina is highly metabolically active, relying on glucose uptake and aerobic glycolysis. Situated in close contact to photoreceptors, a key function of cells in the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) is phagocytosis of damaged photoreceptor outer segments (POS). Here we identify RPE as a local source of insulin in the eye that is stimulated by POS phagocytosis. We show that Ins2 messenger RNA and insulin protein are produced by RPE cells and that this production correlates with RPE phagocytosis of POS. Genetic deletion of phagocytic receptors ('loss of function') reduces Ins2, whereas increasing the levels of the phagocytic receptor MerTK ('gain of function') increases Ins2 production in male mice. Contrary to pancreas-derived systemic insulin, RPE-derived local insulin is stimulated during starvation, which also increases RPE phagocytosis. Global or RPE-specific Ins2 gene deletion decreases retinal glucose uptake in starved male mice, dysregulates retinal physiology, causes defects in phototransduction and exacerbates photoreceptor loss in a mouse model of retinitis pigmentosa. Collectively, these data identify RPE cells as a phagocytosis-induced local source of insulin in the retina, with the potential to influence retinal physiology and disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Iker Etchegaray
- Center for Cell Clearance, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Cancer Biology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Shannon Kelley
- Center for Cell Clearance, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Cancer Biology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Kristen Penberthy
- Center for Cell Clearance, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Cancer Biology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Laura Karvelyte
- Center for Cell Clearance, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Cancer Biology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Yosuke Nagasaka
- Center for Advanced Vision Science, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Sofia Gasperino
- Center for Cell Clearance, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Cancer Biology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Soumen Paul
- Department of Radiology and Medical Imaging, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Vikram Seshadri
- Department of Radiology and Medical Imaging, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Michael Raymond
- Center for Cell Clearance, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Cancer Biology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Ana Royo Marco
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Cancer Biology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Jonathan Pinney
- Center for Cell Clearance, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Cancer Biology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Marta Stremska
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Cancer Biology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Brady Barron
- Center for Cell Clearance, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Cancer Biology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Christopher Lucas
- Center for Cell Clearance, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Cancer Biology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
- University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Nishikant Wase
- Biomolecular Analysis Facility, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Yong Fan
- Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Emil Unanue
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Bijoy Kundu
- Department of Radiology and Medical Imaging, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Tal Burstyn-Cohen
- Hadassah Medical School, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Justin Perry
- Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Jayakrishna Ambati
- Center for Advanced Vision Science, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
- Ophthalmology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Kodi S Ravichandran
- Center for Cell Clearance, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA.
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Cancer Biology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA.
- Hadassah Medical School, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel.
- VIB/UGent Inflammation Research Centre, and Biomedical Molecular Biology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium.
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20
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Mercau ME, Akalu YT, Mazzoni F, Gyimesi G, Alberto EJ, Kong Y, Hafler BP, Finnemann SC, Rothlin CV, Ghosh S. Inflammation of the retinal pigment epithelium drives early-onset photoreceptor degeneration in Mertk-associated retinitis pigmentosa. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2023; 9:eade9459. [PMID: 36662852 PMCID: PMC9858494 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.ade9459] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2022] [Accepted: 12/19/2022] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
Severe, early-onset photoreceptor (PR) degeneration associated with MERTK mutations is thought to result from failed phagocytosis by retinal pigment epithelium (RPE). Notwithstanding, the severity and onset of PR degeneration in mouse models of Mertk ablation are determined by the hypomorphic expression or the loss of the Mertk paralog Tyro3. Here, we find that loss of Mertk and reduced expression/loss of Tyro3 led to RPE inflammation even before eye-opening. Incipient RPE inflammation cascaded to involve microglia activation and PR degeneration with monocyte infiltration. Inhibition of RPE inflammation with the JAK1/2 inhibitor ruxolitinib mitigated PR degeneration in Mertk-/- mice. Neither inflammation nor severe, early-onset PR degeneration was observed in mice with defective phagocytosis alone. Thus, inflammation drives severe, early-onset PR degeneration-associated with Mertk loss of function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria E. Mercau
- Department of Immunobiology, School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
| | - Yemsratch T. Akalu
- Department of Immunobiology, School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
| | - Francesca Mazzoni
- Center for Cancer, Genetic Diseases and Gene Regulation, Department of Biological Sciences, Fordham University, Bronx, NY 10458, USA
| | - Gavin Gyimesi
- Center for Cancer, Genetic Diseases and Gene Regulation, Department of Biological Sciences, Fordham University, Bronx, NY 10458, USA
| | - Emily J. Alberto
- Department of Immunobiology, School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
| | - Yong Kong
- Department of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry, W. M. Keck Foundation Biotechnology Resource Laboratory, School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
| | - Brian P. Hafler
- Department of Ophthalmology, School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
| | - Silvia C. Finnemann
- Center for Cancer, Genetic Diseases and Gene Regulation, Department of Biological Sciences, Fordham University, Bronx, NY 10458, USA
| | - Carla V. Rothlin
- Department of Immunobiology, School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
| | - Sourav Ghosh
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
- Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
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