Interaction of integrin alphaEbeta7 with Cadherin-1

E-cadherin, memeber of the cadherin superfamily is a calcium-dependent cell adhesion protein expressed on the epithelial cells. The integrin alphaEbeta7 is selectively expressed on intestinal intraepithelial T lymphocytes and CD8+ T lymphocytes in inflammatory lesions near epithelial cells.
E-cadherin undergoes both homophilic and heterophilic interactions. It is the only binding partner for alphaEbeta7. This interaction plays a key role in the proliferation of intrathymic T cell populations, T lymphocyte development and damage of target epithelia.

E-钙粘蛋白，作为钙依赖性细胞粘附蛋白，属于钙粘蛋白超家族，主要表达于上皮细胞。整合素αEβ7在肠道上皮内T淋巴细胞及靠近上皮细胞的炎症性损伤区域内的CD8+ T淋巴细胞中特异性表达。E-钙粘蛋白既可发生同源也可发生异源相互作用。它是αEβ7的唯一结合伙伴。这种相互作用在胸腺内T细胞群增殖、T淋巴细胞发育以及靶上皮细胞损伤中发挥着关键作用。