title: Integrins and cadherins as therapeutic targets in fibrosis.
abstract: Fibrosis is the excessive deposition of extracellular matrix proteins into tissues leading to scar formation, disruption of normal tissue architecture and organ failure. Despite the large clinical impact of fibrosis, treatment options are limited. Adhesion molecules, in particular αvβ6 and α3β1 integrins and cadherin-11, have been demonstrated to be important mediators of tissue fibrosis. These data are reviewed here and provide the foundation for these molecules to be potential therapeutic targets for patients with fibrotic diseases.
authors.affiliation: Section of Allergy, Immunology, and Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, Biology of Inflammation Center, Baylor College of Medicine , Houston, TX, USA.
authors.forename: Sandeep K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Agarwal
keywords: cadherins; epithelial cells; fibroblasts; fibrosis; integrins; macrophage