| Background |
Integrins are α/β heterodimeric cell surface receptors that play a pivotal role in cell adhesion and migration, as well as in growth and survival. The integrin family contains at least 18 α and 8 β subunits that form 24 known integrins with distinct tissue distribution and overlapping ligand specificities. Integrins not only transmit signals to cells in response to the extracellular environment (outside-in signaling), but also sense intracellular cues to alter their interaction with the extracellular environment (inside-out signaling). Integrin alpha-2, also known as cluster of differentiation 49b, forms a heterodimer with integrin beta-1. This integral membrane receptor complex interacts with extracellular matrix molecules laminin, collagen, collagen C-propeptides, fibronectin, and E-cadherin. It can also act as a receptor for viral pathogens. Integrin alpha-2/beta-1 is responsible for adhesion of platelets and other cells to collagens, modulation of collagen and collagenase gene expression, and force generation and organization of newly synthesized extracellular matrix.
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