CD29 is a single pass type I transmembrane glycoprotein expressed by most leukocytes. Integrin receptors are involved in the regulation of a variety of important biological functions, including embryonic development, wound repair, hemostasis and prevention of programmed cell death. They are also implicated in abnormal pathological states such as tumor directed angiogenesis, tumor cell growth, and metastasis. Surface expression of CD29 on human natural killer cells can be reduced by pretreatment with the glutathione-S-transferase inhibitor diethyl maleate.
