AXL
AXL receptor tyrosine kinase
Also known as: AXL, UFO, JTK11, Tyro7
Biology & Mechanism
AXL is a TAM family receptor tyrosine kinase (along with TYRO3 and MERTK) that mediates efferocytosis—phagocytosis of apoptotic cells and debris—in microglia. AXL uses Gas6 and Protein S as bridging ligands and signals through phosphatidylserine-exposed on apoptotic cells. AXL is a marker of disease-associated microglia and is upregulated in AD brain. AXL-mediated clearance may be protective or may also facilitate uptake of prion-like protein aggregates.
Open Questions
- —Does AXL-mediated phagocytosis of protein aggregates accelerate prion-like spread or contribute to clearance?
- —Can AXL be targeted to selectively enhance beneficial efferocytosis in neurodegeneration?
- —What is the interplay between TAM receptor signaling and TREM2 in microglial phagocytic decision-making?
Sources
- TAM receptors regulate multiple features of microglial physiology (2017)
Last reviewed: June 1, 2026