Integrins as targets in therapy

Abstract

Cell adhesion and migration are essential for embryonic development, tissue regeneration and homeostasis. Deregulation results in several kinds of diseases, for example, in tumour development. The physical link between the extracellular matrix (ECM) and the actin cytoskeleton is mainly mediated by receptors of the integrin family. This family of proteins plays key roles in cellular processes through signals transduced upon integrin ligation to ECM proteins. During disease development, changes in integrin expression, intracellular control of integrin functions and signals perceived from integrin ligand-binding impact upon the ability of cells to interact with their environment. Antagonists of several integrins are now under evaluation in clinical trials to determine their potential as therapeutics for several kinds of diseases including cancer. Newly characterised and patented inhibitors of integrins are summarised in this review.

Keywords::

• cardiovascular diseases
• cell attachment
• cell migration
• inflammatory disease
• integrin