Integrin β1 is required for maintenance of vascular tone in postnatal mice

Connective tissue is required for maintaining the integrity of tissues. Integrins are the cell surface receptors responsible for cell attachment to extracellular matrix; however, their tissue-specific role in this process is poorly understood. Here, we test whether integrin β1 is required for blood vessel maintenance and integrity in adult mice. We show that adult mice containing a fibroblast/smooth muscle cell-specific deletion of integrin β1 exhibit impaired bleeding time and maintenance of vessel architecture, including progressively reduced levels of extracellular matrix (ECM). Vessels also possessed diminished levels of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), and cells derived from vessels showed reduced production of mRNAs encoding ECM and α-SMA as well as reduced α-SMA protein and stress fibers and ECM contraction. Integrin β1 in adult fibroblasts/smooth muscle cells/pericytes is required for vasoconstriction and vascular maintenance.