The integrin superfamily and the eye

Abstract

Integrins may have many different roles in the eye, from influencing ocular development, cell migration in wound healing or pathologic processes, and modulating inflammation and thrombosis in ocular tissue. With the variety of integrins expressed on ocular cells, great versatility and redundancy are afforded in integrin interactions. Elucidation of the functional roles of specific integrins may answer important questions regarding tumor invasion, metastasis, and ocular development. The roles of integrins in inflammation is a rapidly advancing field that soon may lead to anti-inflammatory pharmacologic agents. Potent integrin antagonists, such as cyclic RGD peptides isolated from viper venom, may prove to be useful as anti-inflammatory, anti-metastatic, or anti-thrombotic agents for the treatment of ocular disease.