Description
Integrin alpha-E/beta-7 is a receptor for E-cadherin. It mediates adhesion of intra-epithelial T-lymphocytes to epithelial cell monolayers. Mice expressing a null mutation of the alpha-E subunit gene exhibit a marked reduction in the numbers of intraepithelial lymphocytes in the gut and in the development of gut-associated lymphoid aggregates, supporting a specific role for this integrin in mediating retention of lymphocytes in the intestinal wall