Formation of the epicardium requires interactions between α4β1 integrin, and the
extracellular matrix. We investigated the role of other integrins expressed by epicardial cells.
We detected transcripts for α5, α8, αv, β1, β3, and β5 integrins in the chick proepicardial
organ (PE). We demonstrate that α5β1, α8β1, and αvβ3 integrins are expressed by chick
epicardial mesothelial cells (EMCs). Migration of EMCs in vitro was reduced by RGD‐
containing peptides. Using adenoviruses expressing an antisense to chick α4 …

During heart development, formation of the superficial epicardium requires α4β1 integrin, a
receptor for fibronectin (FN) and vascular cell adhesion molecule (VCAM‐1). Here we
investigated the role of RGD binding integrins during chick epicardial development. We
detected transcripts for α5, α8, αv, β1, β3, and β5 integrins in the proepicardial organ (PE).
α5β1 was organized into focal complexes and fibrillar adhesions. αvβ3 integrin was
localized in focal complexes and α8β1 was organized along actin filaments. Migration of …