Regulation of microglial phagocytosis and inflammatory gene expression by Gas6 acting on the Axl/Mer family of tyrosine kinases.

Removal of apoptotic cells is an essential process for normal development and tissue maintenance. Importantly, apoptotic cells stimulate their phagocytosis by macrophages while actively suppressing inflammatory responses. Growth arrest specific gene 6 (Gas6) is involved in this process, bridging phosphatidylserine residues on the surface of apoptotic cells to the Axl/Mer family of tyrosine kinases which stimulate phagocytosis.