Role of α6β4 integrin in cell motility, invasion and metastasis of mammary tumors

Integrin α6β4 is the receptor for the laminin family of extracellular matrix proteins and is widely expressed in most epithelial tissues and Schwann cells. The expression of this integrin is up-regulated in most epithelial tumors, suggesting the role of α6β4 in their progression. The tumor microenvironment is also known to enhance the signaling competence of α6β4 through functional and physical interactions with other receptors. In this review, we discuss the biological mechanisms by which integrin α6β4 promotes carcinoma cell motility and invasion that leads to mammary tumor progression.