Integrin alpha-v/beta3 expression in equine lungs and jejunum.

Integrin alpha-v/beta3 (αvβ3) recognizes arginine-glycine-aspartic acid (RGD) sequences and has important functions in cell adhesion, signaling, and survival. However, the expression of integrin αvβ3 in the equine lungs and jejunum is not well understood. The objective of this study was to explore the hitherto unknown expression of integrin αvβ3 in the lungs and jejuna of the horse using light and electron immunocytochemistry. Immunohistochemistry showed integrin αvβ3 on the epithelium, the immune cells in Peyer's patches, the smooth muscle, and the endothelium of equine jejuna. In equine lungs, we recognized integrin αvβ3 on the endothelium of blood vessels, the alveolar septa, the bronchial lymph nodes, and the cartilages, although the expression of integrin αvβ3 was weak on the epithelium of bronchioles. In conclusion, these are the first data to show the expression of integrin αvβ3 in equine lungs and jejuna.