Abstract
A half century of research and more than 75,000 publications have cemented the foundational role of integrins as major conduits of communication between the extracellular environment and the interior of cells. By serving as cell-surface receptors for numerous extracellular ligands, integrin α and β heterodimers are integrally involved in the physiological and pathophysiological responses of virtually all cell types. Excessive or suppressed ligand binding to integrins are implicated in many diseases, including cancer, inflammation and cardiovascular diseases.