Abstract: This disclosure concerns compositions and methods for immunoenhancement and/or immunosuppression. In certain embodiments, the disclosure concerns methods of using a TAM receptor inhibitor for immunoenhancement, for example as a vaccine adjuvant, for the treatment of sepsis, or for treating an immunocompromised subject. Also disclosed are methods of screening for immunoenhancing agents. In other embodiments, the disclosure concerns methods of using a TAM receptor agonist for immunosuppression, for example as a treatment for an autoimmune disorder, for the treatment of an allergy, or for treating graft-versus-host disease in a subject. Also disclosed are methods of screening for immunosuppressive agents.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods for modulating the interaction between a TAM ligand and a lipid membrane containing phosphatidyl serine (PtdSer). In one example, such methods use a TAM receptor agonist having a PtdSer-containing lipid bilayer membrane with Gas6 and/or Protein S bound to the membrane to activate signaling from one or more TAM receptors and treat an autoimmune disease. In another example, methods are provided for treating a subject with a pathological condition characterized by overactivation of TAM signaling and/or reduction in Type I IFN response, such as infection by an enveloped virus, by use of agents that decrease the interaction between a TAM ligand and PtdSer. Also provided are methods for classifying a virus as susceptible to anti-TAM therapy. Methods of identifying an agent that blocks virus infectivity are also provided.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods for modulating the interaction between a TAM ligand and a lipid membrane containing phosphatidyl serine (PtdSer). In one example, such methods use a TAM receptor agonist having a PtdSer-containing lipid bilayer membrane with Gas6 and/or Protein S bound to the membrane to activate signaling from one or more TAM receptors and treat an autoimmune disease. In another example, methods are provided for treating a subject with a pathological condition characterized by overactivation of TAM signaling and/or reduction in Type I IFN response, such as infection by an enveloped virus, by use of agents that decrease the interaction between a TAM ligand and PtdSer. Also provided are methods for classifying a virus as susceptible to anti-TAM therapy. Methods of identifying an agent that blocks virus infectivity are also provided.

Abstract: This disclosure concerns antimicrobial compositions and methods for immunoenhancement, for example methods of increasing production of a type I interferon (IFN) in response to pathogen infection, by administration of a TAM receptor inhibitor. In certain embodiments, the disclosure concerns methods of using a TAM receptor inhibitor to treat a viral or bacterial infection in a subject.

Abstract: This disclosure concerns antimicrobial compositions and methods for immunoenhancement, for example methods of increasing production of a type I interferon (IFN) in response to pathogen infection, by administration of a TAM receptor inhibitor. In certain embodiments, the disclosure concerns methods of using a TAM receptor inhibitor to treat a viral or bacterial infection in a subject.

Abstract: This disclosure concerns antimicrobial compositions and methods for immunoenhancement, for example methods of increasing production of a type I interferon (IFN) in response to pathogen infection, by administration of a TAM receptor inhibitor. In certain embodiments, the disclosure concerns methods of using a TAM receptor inhibitor to treat a viral or bacterial infection in a subject.

Abstract: This disclosure concerns compositions and methods for immunoenhancement and/or immunosuppression. In certain embodiments, the disclosure concerns methods of using a TAM receptor inhibitor for immunoenhancement, for example as a vaccine adjuvant, for the treatment of sepsis, or for treating an immunocompromised subject. Also disclosed are methods of screening for immunoenhancing agents. In other embodiments, the disclosure concerns methods of using a TAM receptor agonist for immunosuppression, for example as a treatment for an autoimmune disorder, for the treatment of an allergy, or for treating graft-versus-host disease in a subject. Also disclosed are methods of screening for immunosuppressive agents.

Abstract: This disclosure concerns antimicrobial compositions and methods for immunoenhancement, for example methods of increasing production of a type I interferon (IFN) in response to pathogen infection, by administration of a TAM receptor inhibitor. In certain embodiments, the disclosure concerns methods of using a TAM receptor inhibitor to treat a viral or bacterial infection in a subject.

Abstract: Substantially pure receptor PTK subtypes and methods of using the subtypes are provided.

Abstract: The invention provides pure receptor protein tyrosine kinase (PTK) subtypes, tyro-1-8 and tyro-10-12, polynucleotides encoding these PTK subtypes and the use of oligonucleotides which align with the flanking regions of the receptor PTK subtypes, thereby allowing amplification of the polynucleotides encoding the receptor PTK subtype.

Abstract: A novel protein tyrosine kinase (PTK) designated tyro-3 is provided herein. Polynucleotides encoding tyro-3 are also provided. Tyro-3 is identified and characterized as being expressed in brain tissue.