Integrin α6 (CD49f), The Microenvironment and Cancer Stem Cells

Curr Stem Cell Res Ther. 2019;14(5):428-436. doi: 10.2174/1574888X13666181002151330.

Abstract

Cancer is a highly prevalent and potentially terminal disease that affects millions of individuals worldwide. Here, we review the literature exploring the intricacies of stem cells bearing tumorigenic characteristics and collect evidence demonstrating the importance of integrin α6 (ITGA6, also known as CD49f) in cancer stem cell (CSC) activity. ITGA6 is commonly used to identify CSC populations in various tissues and plays an important role sustaining the self-renewal of CSCs by interconnecting them with the tumorigenic microenvironment.

Keywords: Cancer stem cells; cell signalling; integrin α6; laminins; self-renewal; tumor microenvironment..

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Cell Self Renewal*
  • Humans
  • Integrin alpha6 / metabolism*
  • Integrin alpha6 / physiology
  • Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Neoplasms / physiopathology
  • Neoplastic Stem Cells / metabolism*
  • Neoplastic Stem Cells / physiology
  • Signal Transduction*
  • Tumor Microenvironment*

Substances

  • ITGA6 protein, human
  • Integrin alpha6