FIGURE 7.

Mechanistic model of strain-induced fetal type II cell differentiation via integrin-TACE pathway. Conformational changes of α₆β₁ integrin by mechanical strain will enhance binding of these mechanoreceptors to disintegrin domain of ADAM17 (green) with subsequent increase of metalloprotease activity (pink) and cleavage of HB-EGF and TGF-α. Released ligands will bind to EGFR and induce phosphorylation of this receptor, activation of ERK pathway, and increased type II cell differentiation.