Integrin α ₆ β ₁ Is the Main Receptor for Vascular Laminins and Plays a Role in Platelet Adhesion, Activation, and Arterial Thrombosis

Laminins are major components of basement membranes, well located to interact with platelets upon vascular injury. Laminin-111 (α1β1γ1) is known to support platelet adhesion but is absent from most blood vessels, which contain isoforms with the α2, α4, or α5 chain. Whether vascular laminins support platelet adhesion and activation and the significance of these interactions in hemostasis and thrombosis remain unknown.Using an in vitro flow assay,...