Overview of integrin signaling in the immune system

It has been well established that integrins mediate cell-cell and cell-matrix adhesion and play crucial roles in the immune system such as leukocyte-endothelium interactions, immune synapse formation, and effector functions. Since the discovery that integrins undergo dynamic changes of adhesive activities in response to external stimuli, intensive studies have been conducted to elucidate the signaling events that control the activation of integrins (inside-out signaling) and signaling events from the induced integrin-dependent adhesion (outside-in signaling). The molecular characterization of these signaling pathways highlights the importance of integrins as bidirectional signaling receptors. The characteristics of integrin signaling are best exemplified in the immune system. This chapter highlights the recent studies of intracellular signaling pathways that regulate integrins in immunological contexts.