Ligand-dependent kinase activity of MERTK drives efferocytosis in human iPSC-derived macrophages.

Removal of apoptotic cells by phagocytes (also called efferocytosis) is a crucial process for tissue homeostasis. Professional phagocytes express a plethora of surface receptors enabling them to sense and engulf apoptotic cells, thus avoiding persistence of dead cells and cellular debris and their consequent effects. Dysregulation of efferocytosis is thought to lead to secondary necrosis and associated inflammation and immune activation.

MEN1 missense mutations impair sensitization to apoptosis induced by wild-type menin in endocrine pancreatic tumor cells.

Background & Aims: Missense mutations account for 30% of mutations identified in patients with the multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN1) syndrome. They raise several issues: the distinction between pathogenic mutations and polymorphisms is sometimes difficult and the functional effects of missense mutations are unclear. We aimed to evaluate the functional consequences of missense MEN1 mutations in an appropriate endocrine cellular context.