The role of integrins in the immune response.

The integrin is one of at least three different families of adhesion molecules. Integrins are heterodimeric cell surface receptors, important for adhesion, migration and cellular interactions of immune cells. There are at least 6 subgroups of integrins, each defined by a common beta submit (beta 1-beta 6) which shares multiple alpha subunits. Among them are the receptors for fibronectin, laminin, vitronectin, as well as the very late activation antigens (VLA 1-6) and the C11/CD18 complex. The role of these molecules in the immune response is discussed with special focus on the beta 2 integrins (CD11/CD8) and their ligand ICAM-1 (CD549).