VLA-4
instance of macromolecular complex in Homo sapiens with Reactome ID (R-HSA-198201)
Integrin α4β1 (very late antigen-4) is an integrin dimer. It is composed of CD49d (alpha 4) and CD29 (beta 1). The alpha 4 subunit is 155 kDa, and the beta 1 subunit is 150 kDa.
Function
The integrin VLA-4 is expressed on the cell surfaces of stem cells, progenitor cells, T and B cells, monocytes, natural killer cells, eosinophils, but not neutrophils. It functions to promote an inflammatory response by the immune system by assisting in the movement of leukocytes to tissue that requires inflammation. It is a key player in cell adhesion.
However, VLA-4 does not adhere to its appropriate ligands until the leukocytes are activated by chemotactic agents or other stimuli (often produced by the endothelium or other cells at the site of injury). VLA-4's primary ligands include VCAM-1 and fibronectin. One activating chemokine is SDF-1. Following SDF-1 binding, the integrin undergoes a conformational change of the alpha and beta domains that is necessary to confer high binding affinity for the endothelial adhesion molecules.
The public source identifies “VLA-4” as instance of macromolecular complex in Homo sapiens with Reactome ID (R-HSA-198201). This brief keeps that definition visible, then builds a research path around VLA-4, instance and macromolecular.
Why this record matters
A short description can identify a subject without explaining its stakes. For “VLA-4”, the useful work is to connect “instance of macromolecular complex in Homo sapiens with Reactome ID (R-HSA-198201)” to the records capable of establishing context and consequence.
The citation trail is more important than the brevity of the summary: it shows where individual claims can be examined in context. The source revision retrieved here is dated Sep 21, 2026. The linked authority identifier is Q50257813. None of the 0 selected statements returned an explicit reference.
A concise general-reference account can conceal disagreements about scope, terminology or the weight assigned to individual sources. The source lead contains qualifying language; that uncertainty should survive quotation, summary and reuse. Authority statements aid reconciliation but still require their own references, qualifiers and ranks to be checked.
How to read it
Use the entry as an orientation point, then follow its citations and revision history. Names, dates and institutional relationships should be checked against the original record.
- Subject orientation
- Search vocabulary
- Locating named sources
The closest primary source, responsible institution and strongest cited specialist reference.
Three-step research path
- Establish the record: confirm the title “VLA-4”, its source revision and the description used here.
- Expand the search: follow VLA-4 primary sources, VLA-4 archive and VLA-4 research across catalogues and specialist indexes.
- Test the account: compare the strongest cited source with the responsible institution’s current record and note any disagreement.
Questions for further research
- Which source most directly establishes the central claim about “VLA-4”?
- What terminology or title could unlock a more precise catalogue search?
- Which institution is responsible for the underlying evidence?
Search terms from this dossier
This entry incorporates text from “VLA-4” on English Wikipedia. Contributors are listed in the page history. Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License. Selected authority identifiers and statements are retrieved from Wikidata under CC0; their references and qualifiers remain part of the verification path.