RGD peptides confer survival to hepatocytes via the β1-integrin-ILK-pAkt pathway

Integrin activation in isolated hepatocytes contributes to the activation of ILK, phosphorylation of Akt on serine residue 473, and inhibition of apoptosis. Integrin signaling through the ILK-phospho Akt pathway protects isolated hepatocytes from apoptosis. This notion may potentially be applied to render the transplantation of hepatocytes more effective.