MerTK regulates thymic selection of autoreactive T cells. 2009

Mark A Wallet, and Rafael R Flores, and Yaming Wang, and Zuoan Yi, and Charles J Kroger, and Clayton E Mathews, and H Shelton Earp, and Glenn Matsushima, and Bo Wang, and Roland Tisch
Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7020, USA.

T cell-mediated autoimmune diseases such as type 1 diabetes (T1D) are believed to be the result in part of inefficient negative selection of self-specific thymocytes. However, the events regulating thymic negative selection are not fully understood. In the current study, we demonstrate that nonobese diabetic (NOD) mice lacking expression of the Mer tyrosine kinase (MerTK) have reduced inflammation of the pancreatic islets and fail to develop diabetes. Furthermore, NOD mice deficient in MerTK expression (Mer(-/-)) exhibit a reduced frequency of beta cell-specific T cells independent of immunoregulatory effectors. The establishment of bone marrow chimeric mice demonstrated that the block in beta cell autoimmunity required hematopoietic-derived cells lacking MerTK expression. Notably, fetal thymic organ cultures and self-peptide administration showed increased thymic negative selection in Mer(-/-) mice. Finally, thymic dendritic cells (DC) prepared from Mer(-/-) mice exhibited an increased capacity to induce thymocyte apoptosis in a peptide-specific manner in vitro. These findings provide evidence for a unique mechanism involving MerTK-mediated regulation of thymocyte negative selection and thymic DC, and suggest a role for MerTK in contributing to beta cell autoimmunity.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D007109 Immunity Nonsusceptibility to the invasive or pathogenic effects of foreign microorganisms or to the toxic effect of antigenic substances. Immune Process,Immune Response,Immune Processes,Immune Responses,Process, Immune,Response, Immune
D008297 Male Males
D011518 Proto-Oncogene Proteins Products of proto-oncogenes. Normally they do not have oncogenic or transforming properties, but are involved in the regulation or differentiation of cell growth. They often have protein kinase activity. Cellular Proto-Oncogene Proteins,c-onc Proteins,Proto Oncogene Proteins, Cellular,Proto-Oncogene Products, Cellular,Cellular Proto Oncogene Proteins,Cellular Proto-Oncogene Products,Proto Oncogene Products, Cellular,Proto Oncogene Proteins,Proto-Oncogene Proteins, Cellular,c onc Proteins
D001854 Bone Marrow Cells Cells contained in the bone marrow including fat cells (see ADIPOCYTES); STROMAL CELLS; MEGAKARYOCYTES; and the immediate precursors of most blood cells. Bone Marrow Cell,Cell, Bone Marrow,Cells, Bone Marrow,Marrow Cell, Bone,Marrow Cells, Bone
D003713 Dendritic Cells Specialized cells of the hematopoietic system that have branch-like extensions. They are found throughout the lymphatic system, and in non-lymphoid tissues such as SKIN and the epithelia of the intestinal, respiratory, and reproductive tracts. They trap and process ANTIGENS, and present them to T-CELLS, thereby stimulating CELL-MEDIATED IMMUNITY. They are different from the non-hematopoietic FOLLICULAR DENDRITIC CELLS, which have a similar morphology and immune system function, but with respect to humoral immunity (ANTIBODY PRODUCTION). Dendritic Cells, Interdigitating,Interdigitating Cells,Plasmacytoid Dendritic Cells,Veiled Cells,Dendritic Cells, Interstitial,Dendritic Cells, Plasmacytoid,Interdigitating Dendritic Cells,Interstitial Dendritic Cells,Cell, Dendritic,Cell, Interdigitating,Cell, Interdigitating Dendritic,Cell, Interstitial Dendritic,Cell, Plasmacytoid Dendritic,Cell, Veiled,Cells, Dendritic,Cells, Interdigitating,Cells, Interdigitating Dendritic,Cells, Interstitial Dendritic,Cells, Plasmacytoid Dendritic,Cells, Veiled,Dendritic Cell,Dendritic Cell, Interdigitating,Dendritic Cell, Interstitial,Dendritic Cell, Plasmacytoid,Interdigitating Cell,Interdigitating Dendritic Cell,Interstitial Dendritic Cell,Plasmacytoid Dendritic Cell,Veiled Cell
D003922 Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 A subtype of DIABETES MELLITUS that is characterized by INSULIN deficiency. It is manifested by the sudden onset of severe HYPERGLYCEMIA, rapid progression to DIABETIC KETOACIDOSIS, and DEATH unless treated with insulin. The disease may occur at any age, but is most common in childhood or adolescence. Diabetes Mellitus, Brittle,Diabetes Mellitus, Insulin-Dependent,Diabetes Mellitus, Juvenile-Onset,Diabetes Mellitus, Ketosis-Prone,Diabetes Mellitus, Sudden-Onset,Diabetes, Autoimmune,IDDM,Autoimmune Diabetes,Diabetes Mellitus, Insulin-Dependent, 1,Diabetes Mellitus, Type I,Insulin-Dependent Diabetes Mellitus 1,Juvenile-Onset Diabetes,Type 1 Diabetes,Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus,Brittle Diabetes Mellitus,Diabetes Mellitus, Insulin Dependent,Diabetes Mellitus, Juvenile Onset,Diabetes Mellitus, Ketosis Prone,Diabetes Mellitus, Sudden Onset,Diabetes, Juvenile-Onset,Diabetes, Type 1,Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus 1,Insulin-Dependent Diabetes Mellitus,Juvenile Onset Diabetes,Juvenile-Onset Diabetes Mellitus,Ketosis-Prone Diabetes Mellitus,Sudden-Onset Diabetes Mellitus
D005260 Female Females
D000076202 c-Mer Tyrosine Kinase A receptor tyrosine kinase that transduces signals from EXTRACELLULAR MATRIX to the CYTOPLASM by binding ligands such as GALECTIN 3. It regulates many physiologic processes that include cell survival, migration, differentiation, and PHAGOCYTOSIS of apoptotic cells and ROD PHOTORECEPTORS in the RETINAL PIGMENT EPITHELIUM. Mutations in the MERTK gene are associated with type 38 RETINITIS PIGMENTOSA; it also plays a critical role as an inhibitor of TOLL-LIKE RECEPTORS signaling. MERTK,c-Mer Proto-Oncogene Tyrosine Kinase,Kinase, c-Mer Tyrosine,Tyrosine Kinase, c-Mer,c Mer Proto Oncogene Tyrosine Kinase,c Mer Tyrosine Kinase
D000818 Animals Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA. Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D012641 Selection, Genetic Differential and non-random reproduction of different genotypes, operating to alter the gene frequencies within a population. Natural Selection,Genetic Selection,Selection, Natural

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