Identifying novel therapeutic targets for diabetes through improved understanding of islet adhesion receptors

Adhesion receptors are transmembrane proteins that mediate cell-cell and cell-matrix communications. In addition to their adhesive role in maintaining islet architecture, they are also important for promoting islet cell survival, proliferation and secretory function. Their capacity for improving β-cell mass and insulin secretion suggest that they may be suitable targets for pharmacological intervention, and their interactions with extracellular matrix proteins hold promise in improving islet transplantation outcomes. In this review, we have focused on integrins, cadherins and adhesion GPCRs, and highlight recent advances in their roles in islet function and discuss whether they could be targeted for diabetes therapy.