The Role Of Axl In Bacterial Infection-Mediated Inflammatory Responses

Abstract Salmonella Typhimurium (S. Typhimurium), one of the most common infectious bacteria, triggers an inflammatory reaction in epithelial cells of the intestine and migrates into the spleen and liver to colonize. To elucidate the role of Axl in bacterial infection-mediated inflammatory responses, Axl-depleted mice and WT mice were infected with S. Typhimurium, and the systemic dissemination caused by the infection was evaluated. The Axl-depleted mice shows better histological scores and increased intraepithelial T cells. The colony number and CFU of S. typhimurium were also lower in the liver of Axl-depleted mice than in that of WT mice. Thus, lack of Axl results in better resistance to S. Typhimurium, suggesting that downregulation of Axl is essential for bacterial resistance by inducing increased number and activity of intraepithelial T cells.