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The biological functions of beta3 integrins
K Switala-Jelen1, K Dabrowska, A Opolski
1Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Wroclaw, Poland. switala@iitd.pan.wroc.pl
Abstract:
Integrins comprise a large family of alphabeta heterodimeric cell-surface receptors that are found in many animal species. They are expressed on a wide variety of cells. There are two members in the beta3 integrin family: alphaIIb beta3 and alpha(v)beta3. This class of adhesion receptors mediates cell-cell and cell-extracellular matrix interactions. Dysregulation of the beta3 integrins is involved in the pathogenesis of many diseases (including cancer) and in transplant rejection. Integrins also play a key role in many virus infectious cycles. In this paper the biological functions of the beta3 family are reviewed, with particular interest in its role in cancer progression and metastasis.
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