Role of integrins in the peripheral nervous system

Integrins, a subgroup of adhesion receptors, are transmembrane glycoprotein s that mediate interactions between cytoplasm and the extracellular environ ment. These interactions influence, among others, events such as cell migra tion, proliferation, and differentiation. Differential expression of integr ins is developmentally regulated in the peripheral nervous system (PNS) and is associated with crucial events in both physiological and pathological p rocesses. Preliminary studies suggest that integrin expression influences n eural crest cell migration, axonal outgrowth, and Schwann cell differentiat ion. Similarly, the abnormal expression of integrins or their ligands, is a ssociated with degenerative, inflammatory, and malignant disorders of the P NS. Finally, integrins participate in the complex interactions that promote repair of the PNS. A better comprehension of the role of integrins in the PNS, their protein interactions and transducing signals is being achieved b y selected biochemical and genetic experiments. Here we review a large bias of evidence suggesting the key functions for integrins in the PNS. (C) 200 1 Elsevier Science Ltd. Ail rights reserved.