The Scripps Research Institute

University of Pennsylvania

Timothy E O'Toole

Mark H Ginsberg

Sanford Shattil

Edward F Plow

Andrew L Frelinger, Iii

.beta..sub.3 integrin subunit specific polypeptides, cDNAs which encode these polypeptides and methods of producing these polypeptides are provided.

.beta.3 integrin subunit specific polypeptides, cDNAS which encode these

.beta..sub.3 integrin subunit specific polypeptides, cDNAs which encode

The invention features a method for inhibiting the ligand binding of an integrin in a cell involving introducing into the cell a compound which inhibits integrin activation, a method for identifying compounds which inhibit integrin activation, and chimeric integrin molecules.

Methods for identifying inhibitors of integrin activation

An integrin-activating antibody is disclosed that immunoreacts with an integrin and when immunoreacted increases the binding affinity of the integrin for binding to ligands specific for the integrin. The antibody also immunoreacts with a ligand-induced binding site (LIBS) on the integrin when the integrin is specifically bound to its ligand. Further disclosed are therapeutic compositions and methods for promoting cell adhesion using the disclosed integrin-activating antibodies.

Growing community of inventors

San Diego, CA, United States of America

Timothy E O'Toole