Integrins are double-edged swords in pulmonary infectious diseases

Dynamic-stiffening collagen-coated substrate enhances osteogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells through integrin α2β1

“…The integrin α subunit functions to transform the integrin from a low-affinity state to a ligand-bound high-affinity state, while the β subunit mainly senses the mechanical signal from ECM. 48 Although it has been reported that integrin α2 can also regulate the osteogenic differentiation of MSCs through the phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (Akt) pathway, this external regulator is determined by ECM morphology rather than matrix stiffness. 49 Integrin β1 can activate the phosphorylation of FAK, which then leads to the activation of downstream intracellular signaling pathways, such as Ras/mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK), PI3K/Akt signaling pathways, etc .…”

Paracoccidioides brasiliensis Induces α3 Integrin Lysosomal Degradation in Lung Epithelial Cells

“…These receptors are heterodimers composed of two subunits (α and β) that are non-covalently associated and, in mammals, 18 α-subunits (1 to 11, IIb, D, E, L, M, V and X) and 8 β-subunits (β1 to β8) can combine to form one of the 24 different heterodimers described in the literature [ 7 , 8 ]. Integrins are involved in several cellular functions, such as cytoskeletal organization, cell proliferation, adhesion, differentiation, and migration and, during an infection, several integrins are involved in host cell responses to various pathogens [ 9 , 10 , 11 ]. Shiota et al [ 12 ], for example, described that α3 integrin is essential for the establishment of the infection of liver cancer cells by the non-enveloped hepatitis E virus (HEV).…”