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Updated: Apr 29, 2026

Static Adhesion Assay for the Study of Integrin Activation in T Lymphocytes
Published on: June 13, 2014
Role of integrins in regulating epidermal adhesion, growth and differentiation
1Cancer Research UK, 44 Lincoln's Inn Fields, London WC2A 3PX, UK. fiona.watt@cancer.org.uk
Abstract:
Mammalian epidermis is renewed throughout life by proliferation of a multipotential stem cell population and terminal differentiation of stem cell progeny. In recent years, extracellular matrix receptors of the integrin family have been identified as important regulators of epidermal homeostasis, influencing the balance between stem cell renewal and differentiation. Integrin expression is altered when the epidermis is damaged or diseased, and there is good evidence that specific integrins can contribute positively or negatively to pathogenesis. In this review I summarize what is known about the expression and function of epidermal integrins, and highlight the challenges for future research.
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