title: Role of Axl in T-Lymphocyte Survival in Salt-Dependent Hypertension.
abstract: Survival of immune and nonimmune cells relies on Axl, a receptor tyrosine kinase, which is implicated in hypertension. Activated T lymphocytes are involved in regulation of high blood pressure. The goal of the study was to investigate the role of Axl in T-lymphocyte functions and its contribution to salt-dependent hypertension.
  
  
  
  We report increased apoptosis in peripheral blood from Axl(-/-) mice because of lower numbers of white blood cells mostly lymphocytes. In vitro studies showed modest reduction in interferon gamma production in Axl(-/-) type 1 T helper cells. Axl did not affect basic proliferation capacity or production of interleukin 4 in Axl(-/-) type 2 T helper cells. However, competitive repopulation of Axl(-/-) bone marrow or adoptive transfer of Axl(-/-) CD4(+) T cells to Rag1(-/-) mice showed robust effect of Axl on T lymphocyte expansion in vivo. Adoptive transfer of Axl(-/-) CD4(+) T cells was protective in a later phase of deoxycorticosterone-acetate and salt hypertension. Reduced numbers of CD4(+) T cells in circulation and in perivascular adventitia decreased vascular remodeling and increased vascular apoptosis in the late phase of hypertension.
  
  
  
  These findings suggest that Axl is critical for survival of T lymphocytes, especially during vascular remodeling in hypertension.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, NY USA.
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Batchu
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology and Immunology and David H. Smith Center for Vaccine Biology and Immunology, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, NY USA.
authors.forename: Angie
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hughson
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, NY USA.
authors.forename: Kristine M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Wadosky
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, NY USA.
authors.forename: Craig N
authors.initials: CN
authors.lastname: Morrell
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology and Immunology and David H. Smith Center for Vaccine Biology and Immunology, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, NY USA.
authors.forename: Deborah J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Fowell
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, NY USA.|Biomedical Genetics, Aab Cardiovascular Research Institute, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, NY USA.
authors.forename: Vyacheslav A
authors.initials: VA
authors.lastname: Korshunov
mesh_terms: D019264:Adoptive Transfer; D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis; D001794:Blood Pressure; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000637:transplantation; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D002470:Cell Survival; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D064791:Desoxycorticosterone Acetate; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005838:Genotype; D018398:Homeodomain Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D006973:Hypertension / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000378:metabolism; D015847:Interleukin-4 / Q000378:metabolism; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D008297:Male; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D010641:Phenotype; D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins / Q000172:deficiency / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D020794:Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases / Q000172:deficiency / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D015398:Signal Transduction; D017673:Sodium Chloride, Dietary; D013997:Time Factors; D066253:Vascular Remodeling; D000094963:Axl Receptor Tyrosine Kinase
chemical_list: D018398:Homeodomain Proteins; D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins; D017673:Sodium Chloride, Dietary; C064658:RAG-1 protein; D015847:Interleukin-4; D064791:Desoxycorticosterone Acetate; D007371:Interferon-gamma; D020794:Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases; D000094963:Axl Receptor Tyrosine Kinase; C000722290:AXL receptor tyrosine kinase, mouse
keywords: Axl receptor tyrosine kinase; apoptosis; hypertension; lymphocyte; vascular remodeling