MERTK and silicosis: The role of Axl and MerTk receptors was also evaluated during lung inflammation using a murine model of acute silicosis via surgical intratracheal instillation of silica in WT (SIL-WT), Axl (SIL-Axl), and MerTk (SIL-MerTk) deficient mice and evaluated pulmonary damage in the first 15 days after instillation.