Figure 2.

Collagen binding integrins exert opposing effects in the regulation of glomerular homeostasis. In mesangial cells, integrin α2β1 binding to collagen leads to activation of intracellular signaling (i.e., ERK or Stat3) resulting in increased collagen production. In contrast, activation of integrin α1β1, directly or via negative regulation of integrin α2β1 or epidermal growth factor receptor signaling, leads to reduced production of profibrotic signaling. ROS, reactive oxygen species.