ReviewThe opposing roles of laminin-binding integrins in cancer

- A comprehensive review of the literature on the roles of the laminin-binding integrins α3β1 and α6β4 in tumor development and progression.
- The integrins α3β1 and α6β4 play important roles in the maintenance of tissue integrity.
- The integrins α3β1 and α6β4 can exert both suppressive and promoting effects on tumor development and progression.

Integrins play an important role in cell adhesion by linking the cytoskeleton of cells to components in the extracellular matrix. In this capacity, integrins cooperate with different cell surface receptors, including growth factor receptors and G-protein coupled receptors, to regulate intracellular signaling pathways that control cell polarization, spreading, migration, survival, and gene expression. A distinct subfamily of molecules in the integrin family of adhesion receptors is formed by receptors that mediate cell adhesion to laminins, major components of the basement membrane that lie under clusters of cells or surround them, separating them from other cells and/or adjacent connective tissue. During the past decades, many studies have provided evidence for a role of laminin-binding integrins in tumorigenesis, and both tumor-promoting and suppressive activities have been identified. In this review we discuss the dual role of the laminin-binding integrins α3β1 and α6β4 in tumor development and progression, and examine the factors and mechanisms involved in these opposing effects.