Mouse Integrin Alpha-E / CD103 (ITGAE) Protein

Background

Integrin subunit alpha E, known as ITGAE, is a critical component of the immune system, particularly in regulating immune cell retention in epithelial tissues. ITGAE, often referred to as CD103 in immunological contexts, partners with the integrin beta 7 subunit to form the heterodimeric receptor αEβ7. This integrin is specifically expressed on subsets of immune cells, including mucosal T lymphocytes, dendritic cells, and natural killer (NK) cells, where it binds to E-cadherin, an adhesion molecule on epithelial cells. By binding E-cadherin, αEβ7 plays a critical role in localizing lymphocytes to epithelial tissues, particularly within the gut, skin, and lungs, where immune surveillance is essential. This adhesion mechanism enables αEβ7-expressing cells to provide targeted immune responses and maintain tissue integrity.