Distinct roles of beta1 integrins during angiogenesis.

Integrins are transmembrane receptors which bind extracellular matrix proteins and enable not only cell adhesion and cytoskeleton organization but also transduction of critical signals into the cells to promote survival, proliferation, differentiation, or migration programs. Integrins participate in many aspects of vascular biology. The past few years have experienced a sustained interest in the implication of integrin receptors in tumor angiogenesis. We will focus our review on studies giving concrete evidence to a role of the beta1 class of integrins in angiogenesis, and we will provide an overview of the molecular mechanisms involved in their action.