Integrin beta-7 (ITGB7)

Integrin beta-7 is a membrane-bound, extracellular protein encoded by the ITGB7 gene in humans. It forms heterodimeric integrins by pairing with either α4 (ITGA4) to form α4β7 or αE (ITGAE) to form αEβ7. These integrins act as cell surface adhesion molecules that are essential for the trafficking and retention of lymphocytes in mucosal tissues, especially the gut. The α4β7 integrin is critical for lymphocyte homing to the gut-associated lymphoid tissue through its binding to mucosal addressin cell adhesion molecule-1 (MAdCAM-1), while αEβ7 binds to E-cadherin on epithelial cells. Integrin beta-7 is a major therapeutic target in inflammatory bowel disease, where drugs such as vedolizumab and etrolizumab block its function to limit immune cell-mediated inflammation in the gut. The integrin mediates signal transduction affecting cell migration, cytoskeletal dynamics, and tissue-specific immune surveillance. Major challenges with targeting integrin beta-7 therapeutically include the risk of immunosuppression and impaired mucosal defense[1][2][3][4][7].

Other names

Gut homing receptor beta subunitITGB7LPAM-1 beta chainBeta-7 integrinIntegrin β7HML-1 beta chain

Blockade of α4β7 or αEβ7 integrin-mediated cell adhesion Inhibition of lymphocyte trafficking to gastrointestinal mucosa