The Gas6/Axl system: a novel regulator of vascular cell function

Signal transduction downstream of tyrosine kinases has become an increasingly important area of study in cardiovascular biology. In this review, we consider the experimental evidence pointing to significant roles for the Axl receptor tyrosine kinase and its ligand, Gas6, in the vasculature. An introduction to the Gas6/Axl system and a discussion of its discovery is followed by a summary of the data regarding expression of Gas6/Axl in injured arteries. We conclude by discussing mechanisms by which Gas6/Axl signaling may impact on the response of blood vessels to injury, thereby contributing to the development of atherosclerosis and/or restenosis.