Vitronectin: A Possible Determinant of Adenovirus Type 19 Tropism for Human Corneal Epithelium

In vitro, vitronectin enhances growth of Ad19, possibly by up-regulation of receptor αv integrins and increased activity of tyrosine kinases necessary for adenoviral internalization. We hypothesize that differential tissue tropisms for adenoviruses may derive in part from tissue-specific extracellular matrix expression.