Fig. 2.

Integrin αvβ8 modulates cell–ECM adhesion and signaling events in the cancer microenvironment. αvβ8 integrin expressed in cancer cells (shown here is an example of the brain cancer GBM) mediates the activation of ECM-bound latent TGFβs in the tumor microenvironment. Active TGFβ subsequently engages with its receptors to coordinately activate paracrine angiogenic pathways in vascular endothelial cells and suppress T cell activation. In addition, TGFβ signaling in cancer cells activates intracellular signaling pathways involving PTP-PEST, RhoGDI1 and other effectors that promote growth and invasion in the tissue microenvironment.