Integrin antagonists

Integrins are a family of cell surface glycoproteins that mediate numerous cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions and are involved in biological proce sses such as tissue morphogenesis, leukocyte recirculation and migration, w ound healing, blood clotting and immune response. Aberrant cell adhesion ha s been implicated in the pathogenesis of several diseases, including a Plum ber of inflammatory disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bo wel disease and asthma, as well as cancer and coronary heart disease. As su ch integrins are seen as excellent targets for the development of therapeut ic agents. This report begins with an examination of the structure of integ rin molecules and their ligands and then goes on to review the current stat e of development of antiintegrin antagonists.