Technologies
Mertk is a receptor found on the surface of macrophages in the immune system and is involved in several important inflammatory and immune response processes, such as the cleanup of dead cells (efferocytosis) and the resolution of inflammation. In the body, Mertk and the processes it mediates are usually kept in check by the targeted cleavage of the protein which destroys the receptor and creates a soluble form of the protein. However, in inflammatory diseases like atherosclerosis and neurinflammatory disease, this regulatory mechanism may be overactive, leading to much higher rates of cleavage of Mertk than normal. Because the protein is destroyed before it can perform its normal function in the body, dead cells are not cleared and inflammatory responses last longer and become harmful. Although there are genetic tools available for the study of Mertk’s role in inflammatory diseases, none are capable of addressing this cleavage response directly. This technology provides a knock-in mouse harboring an altered, non-cleavable form of the Mertk receptor for the study of Mertk cleavage in inflammatory disease.
Mice genetically engineered for the study of Mertk do exist, but they are limited to simple knock-outs that destroy the protein permanently and completely, making the study of Mertk cleavage impossible. This technology provides an elegant solution to this problem by providing a mouse with an intact but altered Mertk protein, which will allow researchers to study the effects of an unregulatable Mertk protein on inflammation and efferocytosis.
Patent Pending
Tech Ventures Reference: IR CU14225