Signaling by integrin receptors.

Adhesive interactions are critical for the proliferation, survival and function of all cells. Integrin receptors as the major family of adhesion receptors have been the focus of study for more than a decade. These studies have tremendously enhanced our understanding of the integrin-mediated adhesive interactions and have unraveled novel integrin functions in cell survival mechanisms and in the activation of divergent signaling pathways. The signals from integrin receptors are integrated from those originating from growth factor receptors in order to organize the cytoskeleton, stimulate cell proliferation and rescue cells from matrix detachment-induced programmed cell death. These functions are critical in the regulation of multiple processes such as tissue development, inflammation, angiogenesis, tumor cell growth and metastasis and programmed cell death.