Item

Abstract

Integrins regulate cell behavior through the assembly of multiprotein complexes at the site of cell adhesion. Parvins are components of such a multiprotein complex. They consist of three members (α-, β-, and γ-parvin), form a functional complex with integrin-linked kinase (ILK) and PINCH, and link integrins to the actin cytoskeleton. Whereas α- and β-parvins are widely expressed, γ-parvin has been reported to be expressed in hematopoietic organs. In the present study, we report the expression pattern of the parvins in hematopoietic cells and the phenotypic analysis of γ-parvin-deficient mice. Whereas α-parvin is not expressed in hematopoietic cells, β-parvin is only found in myeloid cells and γ-parvin is present in both cells of the myeloid and lymphoid lineages, where it binds ILK. Surprisingly, loss of γ-parvin expression had no effect on blood cell differentiation, proliferation, and survival and no consequence for the T-cell-dependent antibody response and lymphocyte and dendritic cell migration. These data indicate that despite the high expression of γ-parvin in hematopoietic cells it must play a more subtle role for blood cell homeostasis.