Structure and functions of Mer, an innate immune checkpoint
Immunotherapy is a promising therapeutic tool that promotes the elimination of cancerous cells by a patient’s own immune system. However, in the clinical setting, the number of cancer patients benefitting from immunotherapy is limited. Identification and targeting of other immune subsets, such as tu...
| Main Authors: | , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2023-10-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Immunology |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fimmu.2023.1244170/full |
| _version_ | 1797653029942460416 |
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| author | Eric Ubil Kashif Rafiq Zahid |
| author_facet | Eric Ubil Kashif Rafiq Zahid |
| author_sort | Eric Ubil |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Immunotherapy is a promising therapeutic tool that promotes the elimination of cancerous cells by a patient’s own immune system. However, in the clinical setting, the number of cancer patients benefitting from immunotherapy is limited. Identification and targeting of other immune subsets, such as tumor-associated macrophages, and alternative immune checkpoints, like Mer, may further limit tumor progression and therapy resistance. In this review, we highlight the key roles of macrophage Mer signaling in immune suppression. We also summarize the role of pro-inflammatory (M1) and anti-inflammatory (M2) phenotypes in tumor onset and progression and how Mer structure and activation can be targeted therapeutically to alter activation state. Preclinical and clinical studies focusing on Mer kinase inhibition have demonstrated the potential of targeting this innate immune checkpoint, leading to improved anti-tumor responses and patient outcomes. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-11T16:38:35Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-d1bd44258f0643bc85dff3d258d4fb9c |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1664-3224 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-11T16:38:35Z |
| publishDate | 2023-10-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Immunology |
| spelling | doaj.art-d1bd44258f0643bc85dff3d258d4fb9c2023-10-23T11:28:09ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Immunology1664-32242023-10-011410.3389/fimmu.2023.12441701244170Structure and functions of Mer, an innate immune checkpointEric UbilKashif Rafiq ZahidImmunotherapy is a promising therapeutic tool that promotes the elimination of cancerous cells by a patient’s own immune system. However, in the clinical setting, the number of cancer patients benefitting from immunotherapy is limited. Identification and targeting of other immune subsets, such as tumor-associated macrophages, and alternative immune checkpoints, like Mer, may further limit tumor progression and therapy resistance. In this review, we highlight the key roles of macrophage Mer signaling in immune suppression. We also summarize the role of pro-inflammatory (M1) and anti-inflammatory (M2) phenotypes in tumor onset and progression and how Mer structure and activation can be targeted therapeutically to alter activation state. Preclinical and clinical studies focusing on Mer kinase inhibition have demonstrated the potential of targeting this innate immune checkpoint, leading to improved anti-tumor responses and patient outcomes.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fimmu.2023.1244170/fullMerTKmacrophagecancerimmuneMerTK inhibitorsclinical trials |
| spellingShingle | Eric Ubil Kashif Rafiq Zahid Structure and functions of Mer, an innate immune checkpoint Frontiers in Immunology MerTK macrophage cancer immune MerTK inhibitors clinical trials |
| title | Structure and functions of Mer, an innate immune checkpoint |
| title_full | Structure and functions of Mer, an innate immune checkpoint |
| title_fullStr | Structure and functions of Mer, an innate immune checkpoint |
| title_full_unstemmed | Structure and functions of Mer, an innate immune checkpoint |
| title_short | Structure and functions of Mer, an innate immune checkpoint |
| title_sort | structure and functions of mer an innate immune checkpoint |
| topic | MerTK macrophage cancer immune MerTK inhibitors clinical trials |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fimmu.2023.1244170/full |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT ericubil structureandfunctionsofmeraninnateimmunecheckpoint AT kashifrafiqzahid structureandfunctionsofmeraninnateimmunecheckpoint |