Introduction 2.1. Integrin structure and function 2.2. Integrin expression in the cardiovascular system 2.2. 1. Cardiac myocytes

2.2. 2. Cardiac fibroblasts 3. Integrin bidirectional signaling across the plasma membrane 3.1. Mechanical load and integrin activation 3.2. Lipid microdomains 3.2. 1. Lipid rafts 3.2. 2. Caveole 3.3. Actin-Integrin adhesion complexes 3.3. 1. Focal complexes 3.3. 2. Focal adhesions 3.3. 3. Fibrillary adhesions 3.4. Focal adhesion kinase 3.4. 1. Structure and activation 3.4. 2. Expression and regulation 3.4. 3. Role of FAK in vascular function 3.4. 4. Role of FAK in cardiac function 3.5. Integrin-Linked Kinase 3.5. 1. Structure and function 3.6 Integrin-mediated Akt activation 3.7. Rho Family of GTPases 3.7. 1. Actin-dependent signaling of Rho GTPases 3.7. 2. Actin-independent signaling by Rho GTPases 3.7. 3. RhoA and Rac1 in cardiovascular signaling 3.8. Mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAP kinases) 3.8. 1. Integrin-induced ERK activation 3.8. 2. Integrin-mediated p38 and JNK activation 4. Cross-talk with other receptor systems 5. Therapeutic targeting of integrin signaling 5.1. ILK as a Therapeutic Target 5.2. MAP kinases as therapeutic targets 5.2. 1. p38 inhibitors 5.2. 2. JNK inhibitors 5.3. Rho GTPases as therapeutic targets 5.3. 1. Rho-kinase (ROCK) inhibitors 5.3. 2. Statins