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Integrin-mediated adhesion and stem-cell-niche interactions

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Abstract

The regulation of stem cell behavior and maintenance typically involves the integration of both intrinsic and extrinsic cues. One such external cue, integrin-mediated cell adhesion to the extracellular matrix, plays an important part in regulating stem cell function and maintenance. In particular, integrins help define and shape the microenvironment in which stem cells are found: the stem cell niche. Integrins have a diverse array of roles in this context including homing of stem cells to their niche, maintaining stem cells in the niche, developing stem-cell-niche architecture, regulating stem cell proliferation and self renewal, and finally, controlling the orientation of dividing stem cells. Because of their various roles in directing stem cell behavior, integrin-mediated adhesion and signaling in the niche have been implicated in processes that underlie cancer progression and metastasis.

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Acknowledgements

The authors thank Michael Fairchild and Blair Gage for critical comments.

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  1. Department of Cellular and Physiological Sciences, University of British Columbia, Life Science Institute, 2350 Health Sciences Mall, Vancouver, BC, Canada, V6T 1Z3

    Stephanie J. Ellis & Guy Tanentzapf

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  1. Stephanie J. Ellis
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  2. Guy Tanentzapf
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Correspondence to Guy Tanentzapf.

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GT is a Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) New Investigator and a Michael Smith Foundation for Health Research Scholar and is funded by the CIHR (operating grant 89835) and a Human Frontiers Science Program Career Development Award.

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Ellis, S.J., Tanentzapf, G. Integrin-mediated adhesion and stem-cell-niche interactions. Cell Tissue Res 339, 121–130 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00441-009-0828-4

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