Fig. 7. Varied Fn conformation regulates adhesion and VEGF secretion via altered integrin engagement.

Individual and combined blockade of synergy-dependent (α₅β₁) and -independent (α_vβ₃) integrins via β₁- and α_v-function blocking antibodies, respectively, suggested that α₅β₁ inhibits VEGF secretion of 3T3-L1 in response to compact Fn, which may be compensated by increased engagement of α_vβ₃ (white bars). Additionally, α_vβ₃ stimulates VEGF secretion in response to partially unfolded Fn, which is independent of α₅β₁ usage (black bars). * indicates p < 0.05.