| CHARACTERIZATION | The alpha6/beta1 integrin is expressed on platelets, lymphocytes, monocytes, thymocytes and epithelial cells, on which it functions as a laminin receptor for laminin-1, laminin-2 and laminin-4 in vivo. It is also a receptor for laminin-5, but not in vivo. For laminin-1, the binding site has been localized in the E8 domain of this extracellular matrix molecule. This receptor is also known as VLA-6 (very late activation antigen 6) and GPIc-IIa (glycoprotein Ic-IIa on platelets). The alpha4beta1, alpha4beta7, and alphaEbeta7 integrins may all play a contributory role in the progression of chronic forms of demyelinating disease, and together with their ligands could represent potential targets for improved treatment of some forms of multiple sclerosis. See: J Neuroimmunol 2000 Mar 1;103(2):146-52 |