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Updated: May 31, 2026

Static Adhesion Assay for the Study of Integrin Activation in T Lymphocytes
Published on: June 13, 2014
Regulation of integrins by conformation and traffic: it takes two to tango
Donatella Valdembri1, Chiara Sandri, Martina Santambrogio
1Laboratory of Cell Adhesion Dynamics-IRCC, Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment and Department of Oncological Sciences, University of Torino School of Medicine, Strada Provinciale 142, Km 3.95, 10060, Candiolo, Italy.
Abstract:
In multicellular organisms, the execution of complex morphogenetic events, such as gastrulation or vascular morphogenesis, depends on the dynamic modulation of adhesion. Guidance cues, such as chemokines, growth factors, and semaphorins control the attachment of cells to extracellular matrix proteins by regulating the conformational activation of integrin receptors. The endo-exocytic traffic of integrins back and forth from the plasma membrane represents another crucial regulatory aspect in cell adhesion and motility. Recent work added an additional layer of complexity by indicating that distinct molecular machineries are required for trafficking active and inactive integrins.
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