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Updated: Apr 19, 2026
Assaying Circuit Specific Regulation of Adult Hippocampal Neural Precursor Cells
Published on: July 24, 2019
TAM receptor deficiency affects adult hippocampal neurogenesis
Rui Ji1, Lingbin Meng, Qiutang Li
1Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Louisville School of Medicine, 301 E. Muhammad Ali Blvd, Louisville, KY, 40202, USA.
Abstract:
The Tyro3, Axl and Mertk (TAM) subfamily of receptor protein tyrosine kinases functions in cell growth, differentiation, survival, and most recently found, in the regulation of immune responses and phagocytosis. All three receptors and their ligands, Gas6 (growth arrest-specific gene 6) and protein S, are expressed in the central nervous system (CNS). TAM receptors play pivotal roles in adult hippocampal neurogenesis. Loss of these receptors causes a comprised neurogenesis in the dentate gyrus of adult hippocampus. TAM receptors have a negative regulatory effect on microglia and peripheral antigen-presenting cells, and play a critical role in preventing overproduction of pro-inflammatory cytokines detrimental to the proliferation, differentiation, and survival of adult neuronal stem cells (NSCs). Besides, these receptors also play an intrinsic trophic function in supporting NSC survival, proliferation, and differentiation into immature neurons. All these events collectively ensure a sustained neurogenesis in adult hippocampus.
Insights
The Tyro3, Axl, and Mertk (TAM) receptors are crucial for adult hippocampal neurogenesis. Their absence impairs neuronal stem cell survival and proliferation, highlighting their importance in brain repair.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cell Biology
- Immunology
Background:
- The Tyro3, Axl, and Mertk (TAM) receptor tyrosine kinases and their ligands (Gas6, Protein S) are present in the central nervous system (CNS).
- TAM receptors are involved in cell growth, differentiation, survival, immune responses, and phagocytosis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of TAM receptors in adult hippocampal neurogenesis.
- To understand how TAM receptors influence neuronal stem cells (NSCs) and immune cells in the hippocampus.
Main Methods:
- The abstract does not specify methods, but implies studies on TAM receptor function in the CNS.
- Focus on the impact of TAM receptor expression on neurogenesis and immune cell regulation.
Main Results:
- TAM receptors are essential for adult hippocampal neurogenesis, particularly in the dentate gyrus.
- Loss of TAM receptors compromises neurogenesis by affecting NSC survival, proliferation, and differentiation.
- TAM receptors negatively regulate microglia and antigen-presenting cells, preventing excessive pro-inflammatory cytokine production.
Conclusions:
- TAM receptors play a dual role in the hippocampus: supporting NSC survival and proliferation while regulating immune responses.
- These functions collectively ensure sustained neurogenesis in the adult hippocampus.
- TAM signaling is critical for maintaining neural stem cell niches and brain plasticity.
