Integrin function and signaling as pharmacological targets in cardiovascular diseases and in cancer

Area of Science:

• Cell Biology
• Pathophysiology
• Drug Discovery

Background:

• The cellular microenvironment significantly impacts disease progression in conditions like cancer and cardiovascular diseases.
• Processes such as stromal remodeling, cell invasion, and angiogenesis are crucial in disease pathogenesis.
• Cell adhesion, mediated by receptors like integrins, is vital for adapting cell functions to the microenvironment and influences therapeutic drug sensitivity.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the role of integrins in disease pathogenesis and their potential as therapeutic targets.
• To discuss current strategies for targeting integrins and identify areas for future development.
• To highlight the importance of understanding integrin activation and signaling specificity for effective therapeutic interventions.

Main Methods:

• Review of existing literature on integrin function in disease.
• Analysis of therapeutic strategies targeting integrin extracellular domains.
• Discussion of emerging approaches targeting intracellular integrin signaling pathways.

Main Results:

• Integrin targeting for modulating adhesive functions has shown clinical promise.
• Current extracellular integrin targeting strategies require improvements in oral bioavailability and signaling control.
• Intracellular targeting of integrin signaling pathways presents a promising avenue.

Conclusions:

• Integrins are critical mediators of cellular responses within the microenvironment and are key players in disease progression.
• Targeting integrin-dependent signaling pathways, both extracellularly and intracellularly, holds significant therapeutic potential.
• Further research into the specific activation and interaction of integrins in various pathologies is essential for developing effective integrin-targeted therapies, alone or in combination with other treatments.