The development and integrity of the cardiovascular system depends on integrins, a family
of adhesion receptors, vitally important for homeostasis of animal species from fruit fly to
man. Integrins are critical players in cell migration, cell adhesion, cell cycle progression,
differentiation, and apoptosis. Consequently, integrins have a major impact on the patterning
and functions of the blood and cardiovascular system. Integrins undergo conformational
changes, which alter their affinity for ligands through a process operationally defined as …