Integrin subunit alpha-11 (ITGA11)

Integrin subunit alpha-11 (ITGA11) is a member of the integrin alpha chain family, functioning as an integral membrane protein that forms a heterodimer with beta-1 integrin (resulting in the α11β1 integrin complex). This receptor binds selectively to collagen type I in the extracellular matrix, mediating cell adhesion, migration, and tissue remodeling. ITGA11 is expressed by fibroblasts, muscle cells, and bone marrow-derived skeletal stem cells, where it regulates differentiation processes such as myofibroblast transition during fibrosis and osteogenesis during bone formation and maintenance. ITGA11 is upregulated in various fibrotic diseases (liver, lung, kidney), contributes to tumor stroma formation in certain cancers, and acts as the receptor for the osteogenic growth factor Osteolectin, activating Wnt signaling in skeletal stem cells. Its specific cellular functions and restricted expression make it a potential therapeutic target for fibrosis and certain cancers, as well as a biomarker for disease progression, though no clinically approved drugs directly target ITGA11 yet.

Other names

Integrin alpha-11integrin subunit α11ITGA11MSTP018HsT189644732459H24RikLOC102546312

Not applicable (see above: no approved or widely-studied drugs). Mechanistically, blockade or downregulation of ITGA11 reduced myofibroblast differentiation and fibrotic responses; ligand (Osteolectin) binding to ITGA11-beta1 integrin activates the Wnt pathway and promotes osteogenesis