Integrin expression in human bone

Integrins are a family of heterodimeric transmembrane glycoproteins that are known to mediate cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions. Members of the VLA (very late activation) family, which consists of β 1 integrin in association with the VLA a chains (α 1-6 ), mediate adhesion of a wide range of cells to matrix proteins, such as fibronectin, collagen, and laminin, and may therefore be important for cell-matrix interactions in bone. Integrin expression in human bone was studied immunohistochemically using cryostat sections of fracture callus, tumor-associated reactive bone, and neonatal costochondral junctions, with a panel of well-characterized antibodies against β 1-4 , integrins, α 1-6 and α v integrins, and the α v b 3 dimer (the classic vitronectin receptor)