Collagen receptor integrins: rising to the challenge

Integrins are alphabeta heterodimeric receptors that connect the extracellular environment with intracellular signaling events. Integrins are important for normal development and function, but are also involved in the pathogenesis of diseases including cancer, autoimmunity and heart disease. We will review the present data on a family of integrins, the collagen receptors that include the alpha1beta1, alpha2beta1, alpha1beta1 and alpha1beta1 integrins. We will describe the knowledge gained from genetic deletion of each integrin in animal models. Mice lacking any single collagen receptor display no overt defect. However, studies using the alpha1beta1 and alpha2beta1 integrin-deficient mice indicate that these receptors play an important role in innate immunity, inflammation and autoimmunity. Finally, we will elucidate the interesting and sometimes overlapping roles for alpha1beta1 and alpha2beta1 integrins in disease and will propose potential stategies to therapeutically target these receptors to alleviate or treat disease.