Abstract

Since the discovery that integrins at the surface of lymphocytes undergo dynamic changes in their adhesive activity after stimulation through the T-cell receptor or stimulation with chemokines, intensive research has been carried out in an attempt to clarify the signalling events that lead to the activation of integrins. Whereas structural studies have provided us with a vivid picture of the conformational flexibility of integrins, the signalling pathways that regulate these conformational changes (known as inside-out signalling) have been elusive. However, as I discuss here, recent studies have provided new insight into the pathways that control the regulation of integrin activity and the coordination of complex cellular functions, such as the homing of lymphocytes and the formation of an immunological synapse.

Author affiliations

1. Department of Molecular Genetics, Graduate School of Medicine, Institute of Liver Research, Kansai Medical School, 10–15 Fumizono-cho, Moriguchi, Osaka 570-8506, Japan.
   Email: kinashi@takii.kmu.ac.jp

Published online 20 June 2005

MORE ARTICLES LIKE THIS

These links to content published by NPG are automatically generated.