Fig. 5.
Axl shedding and desensitization. Axl desensitization in stretched rat pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells is not dependent on shedding. Rat pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells constitutively shed soluble Axl ectodomain (sAxl), and shedding is inhibited by the A disintegrin and metalloprotease-17 (ADAM17) antagonist TAPI-2 (A); however, cyclic stretch does not increase shedding (B, Mann-Whitney, n = 13 wells from five independent experiments). Inhibition of ADAM17 does not prevent loss of Gas6-dependent Axl activation in stretched cells (C and D). *P < 0.002 versus static within stimulus (two-way ANOVA for effects of stretch and stimulus); †P < 0.001 versus vehicle within static. n = 6 wells from three independent experiments. Samples run on separate gels/blots (indicated by vertical line) were prepared and analyzed in parallel. IP = intraperitoneal; ns = not significant; Veh = vehicle.