Integrin α6β4 in colorectal cancer

Figure 3 Colorectal cancer cells express a form of α6β4 that is not found in normal colonic cells. In the normal colon, progenitor cells express the α6Aβ4ctd- form which is pro-proliferative but not functional for adhesion while differentiated cells express the α6Bβ4ctd+ form which is anti-proliferative and functional for adhesion. In colorectal carcinoma, the predominant form of α6β4 is α6Aβ4ctd+, which is pro-proliferative and functional for adhesion.