Axl receptor induces efferocytosis, dampens M1 macrophage responses and promotes heart pathology in Trypanosoma cruzi infection

Adaptive immunity controls Trypanosoma cruzi infection, but the protozoan parasite persists and causes Chagas disease. T cells undergo apoptosis, and the efferocytosis of apoptotic cells might suppress macrophages and exacerbate parasite infection. Nonetheless, the receptors involved in the efferocytosis of apoptotic lymphocytes during infection remain unknow. Macrophages phagocytose apoptotic cells by using the TAM (Tyro3, Axl, Mer) family of receptors. To address how the efferocytosis of apoptotic cells affects macrophage-mediated immunity, we employ here Axl receptor- and Mer receptor-deficient mouse strains. In bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDMs), both Axl and Mer receptors play a role in the efferocytosis of proapoptotic T cells from T. cruzi-infected mice. Moreover, treatment with a TAM receptor inhibitor blocks efferocytosis and upregulates M1 hallmarks induced by immune T cells from infected mice. Remarkably, the use of Axl(−/−) but not Mer(−/−) macrophages increases T-cell-induced M1 responses, such as nitric oxide production and control of parasite infection. Furthermore, infected Axl(−/−) mice show reduced peak parasitemia, defective efferocytosis, improved M1 responses, and ameliorated cardiac inflammation and fibrosis. Therefore, Axl induces efferocytosis, disrupts M1 responses, and promotes parasite infection and pathology in experimental Chagas disease. Axl stands as a potential host-direct target for switching macrophage phenotypes in infectious diseases.