Expression and distribution of functional intergrins in rat CNS glia

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Abstract
In previous studies, we have reported on the expression of β1 intergrins in type 1 astrocytes and their function in cell‐substratum attachment (Tawil et al., J Cell Biol 120:261–271, 1993). Here we extend those findings by providing evidence that type 1 astrocytes express integrins of the β3 and possibly β4 subclasses and that the former (αvβ3) functions in attachment by recognizing the peptide, Arg‐Gly‐Asp, in vitronectin. In addition, we have examined immunocyto‐chemically the expression of β1 integrins on type 2 astrocytes and oligodendrocytes. The pattern of expression of integrins on these two cell types is distinct from type 1 astrocytes; most notably type 1 astrocytes but not oligodendrocytes or type 2 astrocytes express α1β1 heterodimers. Since type 2 astrocytes and oligodendrocytes originate from a common precursor (0‐2A), the α1β1 heterodimer may be a functional marker which distinguishes O‐2A‐derived cells from those of the type 1 astrocyte lineage.

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