Integrin expression by human articular chondrocytes.

: Expression of integrins, a family of cell adhesion proteins, by human articular cartilage chondrocytes in vivo has been studied by immunohistological techniques using cryostat sections and a panel of anti-integrin monoclonal antibodies. Chondrocytes strongly expressed beta 1 and alpha 5 integrin subunits, known to form the classical fibronectin receptor, VLA-5, strongly. alpha 1 was expressed more weakly and variably; alpha 3 was expressed by occasional cells only. Chondrocytes did not express beta 2, beta 3 or other integrin alpha subunits tested.