Articles tagged with Integrins
UCLA researchers have pinpointed the culprit behind chronic rejection of heart, lung and kidney transplants. They discovered that HLA molecules on donor tissue provoke an immune response in the patient, leading to overgrowth of cells lining the inner blood vessels of the grafted organ.
Researchers at the University of Illinois Chicago have discovered a mechanism for cell flattening, a crucial step in processes like clot formation and cancer spread. The study found that a G protein interacts with integrins to inhibit RhoA, allowing cells to flatten and move.
Researchers at Virginia Tech have discovered novel molecular interactions at the surface of platelets that regulate blood clotting. The study found that sulfatides bind to Disabled-2 protein, preventing it from inhibiting clotting, while also recycling the protein for future use.
Researchers at the Max Planck Institute have discovered how immune cells, such as white blood cells, move on various surfaces. They found that these cells use a 'clutch and wheels' system, involving cell anchors and cytoskeleton deformation to maintain constant speed, enabling them to adapt to different substrates.
Beta-1 integrin's role in regulating cell behavior and extracellular matrix assembly is crucial for understanding diseases like cancer and fibrosis. The study identifies a key protein, talin, involved in controlling fibronectin fibril formation.
A new study suggests blocking neutrophil migration using rhAPC could eliminate bleeding risk from sepsis treatment. The results recommend existing drugs as potential new treatments against sepsis, increasing the pace of new treatments in the clinic.
Researchers found that laminin-111 restored regenerative capacity in a mouse model for alpha 7 integrin congenital myopathy. The protein promotes muscle cell health and survival by interacting with the extracellular matrix.
Research reveals that blocking avb3 integrin leads to a5b1's increased trafficking and association with EGFR1, activating the Akt pathway and promoting random migration and invasive ability. This study sheds light on the mechanisms underlying metastatic movement in tumor cells.
UC Davis researchers have identified a cellular process promoting inflammation and discovered an important starting point for identifying and testing new drugs. The study found that protein sPLA2-IIA binds to two integrins, causing them to rapidly multiply and boosting an immune response already gone awry due to disease.
Research reveals that certain adult stem cells are more active than previously thought, actively controlling their behavior through the interaction between laminin A and integrins. This interaction enables follicle stem cells to remain in place, primed for division, by laying down laminin A to build their own niche.
A new biologically inspired material enhances tissue healing, improves bone growth around the implant, and strengthens its attachment to the bone. The coating presented controlled amounts of an engineered protein that mimics fibronectin, directing cell surface receptors to enhance bone formation.
Researchers have identified two integrin receptors on intestinal cells that are used by rotavirus to cause diarrhea. The study provides new insights into the mechanism of rotavirus infection and may lead to the development of treatments to block this interaction.
Researchers at Tufts University have discovered how cell surface receptors cooperate to generate immune responses, revealing the importance of integrin VLA-4 in facilitating signal transmission. This understanding is crucial for developing interventions to enhance or inhibit immune responses, particularly in autoimmune diseases.
Researchers at Vanderbilt University Medical Center have identified a sticky blood protein that regulates serotonin transporter activity, potentially contributing to autism. The discovery may lead to new treatments for autism and depression.
Researchers have identified a new cellular receptor, integrin alpha 4 beta 7, that plays a crucial role in the early stages of HIV infection. The receptor, which guides immune cells to the gut, is targeted by the virus's gp120 protein, facilitating its entry into host cells.
Researchers at the University of Rochester Medical Center have found a way to selectively block the ability of white blood cells to migrate toward sites of injury and infection, which drives disease. This discovery suggests a new approach for treating autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and multiple sclerosis.
Researchers found that immunosuppressive drugs suppress beta-cell regeneration in diabetic mice, raising questions about the potential of successful regenerative islet transplantation. Meanwhile, a new study demonstrated that eIF4E-specific antisense oligonucleotides reduce tumor growth without causing damage to normal tissues.
Researchers found mutations in integrin alpha 7 associated with cancer progression and metastasis in various cancer cell lines. Increasing normal integrin alpha 7 levels inhibited tumor growth and migration, indicating its potent tumor suppressor activity.
A prospective study found that aspirin use was associated with lower risk of cancer incidence and mortality, particularly among former and non-smokers. In contrast, integrin α7 gene mutations were identified in various cancers, including prostate and liver cancer, suggesting a potential role in cancer development.
Researchers designed peptides that can bind to specific regions of transmembrane proteins to study their effects on crucial first steps in blood clotting. This breakthrough method allows for the interrogation of inaccessible proteins within the cell membrane.
Researchers developed a new tumor targeting strategy that leverages one of the body's natural antibodies and immune responses. The approach recognizes and kills only cancer cells displaying high levels of integrins, reducing the risk of harming healthy cells.
Researchers are investigating the causes of bone loss in astronauts due to prolonged weightlessness. The study focuses on the role of integrins, which may be key to decreasing bone cell production and preventing fractures.
Researchers at UCSD School of Medicine have reconstructed the signaling pathways that regulate activation of glycoprotein IIb-IIIa, a critical receptor in platelet function. The study provides a powerful tool for studying therapeutic targets and developing new antithrombotic drugs.
Researchers have discovered a way to selectively target alpha 4 integrin molecules, which cause white blood cells to accumulate at the site of inflammation. This could lead to new treatments for autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis, inflammatory bowel disease and rheumatoid arthritis.
A study by University of Michigan researchers reveals the critical genetic switch that allows preadipocytes to become full-blown fat cells, highlighting the importance of balance in fat production. The discovery sheds new light on the role of integrin alpha 6 in regulating fat cell formation and its potential link to metabolic disorders.
A University of California, San Diego team discovered a receptor-ligand pair that plays a critical role in the final step of blood vessel formation, allowing newly constructed vessels to 'lock' together. Inhibiting this integrin protein may starve tumors and combat cancer.
Researchers have developed a marker to measure new blood vessel growth in tumors using positron emission tomography (PET) scanning and a fluorine-labeled glycopeptide. The marker, αvβ3 integrin, can identify tumors that express this marker, assess new vessel formation, and guide anti-angiogenic therapies.
Researchers at UCSD have identified a vital step in cellular migration that could lead to new therapeutic interventions for autoimmune diseases. The study found that alpha4 integrins recruit enzymes to block Rac activity only at the rear of a crawling cell, maintaining directional movement.
Researchers found that elevated levels of ávâ6 expression in colon carcinoma cells are associated with reduced patient survival. The molecule is identified as an independent prognostic marker for colorectal cancer and predictive of early-stage disease outcomes.
Researchers studied snake venom and found it blocks integrin receptors like human drugs, but leaves some activated. This may explain why some oral medications increase patient deaths – they don't bind to receptors inside platelets.
Researchers have found that the lack of response occurs because IGF-I does not activate its receptor molecule on the surface of the cells, triggering a signaling feedback loop. Integrins, which regulate growth factors in other cells, are also impaired due to skeletal unloading.
A Johns Hopkins team has discovered a protein that stimulates axon growth, contradicting the traditional view of semaphorins as only repelling axons. Semaphorin-7a promotes axon growth by interacting with integrins on nerves and other cell types.
Scientists identify key amino acid sequence responsible for activating GPIIb-IIIa molecule, a crucial component of platelet function. This discovery provides new insights into how integrins on cells throughout the body may function.
Researchers have discovered that combining endostatin and tumstatin may prove more effective in battling cancer than either one used separately. The two inhibitors work through distinct mechanisms, targeting different integrins to inhibit angiogenesis.
A study published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation reveals that M-CSF and alphaV beta3 integrin collaborate to regulate osteoclast differentiation. The discovery brings scientists closer to understanding the mechanisms behind osteoporosis, a condition affecting 50% of Caucasian and Asian women after age 65.
Researchers found that gene transfer by adenovirus is less efficient in aging rat heart cells, highlighting the need for new treatment strategies. Boosting integrin expression may help overcome this hurdle, enabling low-dose gene therapy to deliver beneficial genes.
Penn researchers used laser tweezers to study the strength of ligand-receptor binding in platelets, refining the paradigm of how blood clots form. They found that changes in integrin's ability to bind to fibrinogen are regulated by the cell as an all-or-none phenomenon with only one functional state compatible with binding.
Researchers at MGH Structural Biology Program have unraveled the structure of a key protein involved in tumor angiogenesis and metastasis. The study reveals that alpha V beta 3 integrin changes its shape when bound to its ligand, allowing it to instruct tumor cells to grow and spread.
The MGH research team has solved the structure of an integrin receptor, a key protein involved in diseases such as tumor angiogenesis, breast cancer metastasis, and osteoporosis. The finding may help develop strategies to target these diseases with novel anti-angiogenic, anti-inflammatory, anti-viral, and anti-osteoporosis drugs.
Researchers investigate integrin signaling in psoriasis, discovering altered expression of key proteins involved in immune responses. This study sheds light on potential therapeutic targets for treatment of the chronic skin condition.
A study found that genetically engineering adult neurons to produce more integrin protein dramatically increases nerve fiber growth. The approach has the potential to lead to new therapies for treating brain and spinal cord injuries. Researchers plan to further investigate this finding in animal models.
In mice lacking b7 integrins, B cell-mediated secretion of antiviral IgA is lacking, and CD8+ T cells reach the intestinal epithelium in smaller numbers. Despite this, these cells are sufficient to clear rotavirus efficiently from the gut.
The three-dimensional structure reveals that invasin is a rod-like protein resembling five tandemly arranged beads. Researchers now have a more specific target for developing antibacterial agents, as blocking binding to crucial regions of the invasin receptors should prevent bacterial entry into cells.
A crucial molecular dance has been identified as the primary driver of pulmonary fibrosis, an incurable lung inflammation. Researchers discovered that a protein called integrin activates TGF Beta, leading to excessive fibrous scarring in lungs.
A new study reveals that alpha V beta 5-integrins on cell surfaces facilitate the entry of genetically engineered AAV viruses into cells, allowing for efficient gene delivery. This understanding can lead to improved gene therapy methods and enhanced chances of successful treatment outcomes.
Researchers at the University of Illinois discovered that binding proteins are crucial for initial wiring of the brain. Without them, axons misfire and route randomly, failing to interpret cues that guide their growth.
A molecule discovered in a University of Illinois laboratory has pivotal roles in muscle formation and stabilization. Research finds Alpha 7 integrin deficiency positively linked to three cases of congenital muscular dystrophy, suggesting potential therapeutic applications.