Annika S. Bai, Grith Lykke Sørensen, Aparna B. Sundaram, Wenhan Chang, Rubin M. Tuder, Brian B. Graham Michael H. Lee
University of California Santa Barbara. University of California San Francisco. Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital. University of Southern Denmark. University of Colorado School of Medicine.
United States and Denmark
American Journal of Physiology Lung Cellular and Molecular Physiology
Am J Physiol Lung Cell Mol Physiol 2026;
DOI: 10.1152/ajplung.00387.2025
Abstract
Integrin signaling promotes cellular proliferation, inflammation, and fibrosis in various forms of lung diseases, including pulmonary fibrosis, asthma, and acute respiratory distress syndrome. Recent studies suggest the promising role of integrins in the pathogenesis of pulmonary arterial hypertension, a morbid and incurable disease. In this review, we explore the biologic basis of integrins in potentiating pulmonary vascular disease and their candidacy as treatment targets. Specifically, we explore integrin-derived effects implicated in the pathobiology of pulmonary vascular disease, such as TGF-β activation, neointima formation, and inflammatory cell recruitment. We discuss intracellular pathways involving cytoplasmic kinases and matrisomal integrin ligands that are studied in the specific context of pulmonary vascular disease, focusing on recent therapeutic animal studies targeting integrin biology. Finally, we summarize unanswered knowledge gaps in the pursuit of therapeutic translation of integrin modulation.
Category
Vascular Cell Biology and Mechanisms of Pulmonary Vascular Disease
Review Articles Concerning Pulmonary Vascular Disease
Age Focus: No Age-Related Focus
Fresh or Filed Publication: Fresh (PHresh). Less than 1-2 years since publication
Article Access
Free PDF File or Full Text Article Available Through PubMed or DOI: Yes