ITGB1

Integrin beta-1 (ITGB1), also designated CD29 or fibronectin receptor beta subunit, is a transmembrane glycoprotein that noncovalently associates with various alpha subunits to form heterodimeric integrin receptors. These receptors mediate bidirectional signaling by connecting extracellular matrix (ECM) components like fibronectin, laminin, and collagen with intracellular cytoskeletal networks and signaling molecules. ITGB1 plays pivotal roles in cell adhesion, migration, mechanotransduction, and tissue morphogenesis through pathways including focal adhesion kinase (FAK), phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt, and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK). Dysregulation of ITGB1 contributes to tumor progression, fibrosis, and inflammatory disorders via enhanced epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and ECM remodeling. Therapeutic strategies targeting ITGB1, such as inhibitory antibodies (e.g., volociximab) and peptide antagonists, are under investigation for cancers and fibrotic diseases, though clinical efficacy remains to be fully validated. Recent studies also explore its role in modulating immunotherapy resistance through ECM-mediated T-cell exclusion in tumor microenvironments.