Kindlin-3 is a member of the kindlin family of focal adhesion proteins which bind to integrin beta-chain cytoplasmic domains to regulate integrin function. In contrast to kindlin-1 and kindlin-2 proteins, kindlin-3 is expressed mainly in the hematopoietic system. Mutations in kindlin-3 result in the rare genetic disorder, leukocyte adhesion deficiency type III (LAD-III), which is characterized by bleeding and recurrent infections due to deficient beta1, beta2 and beta3 integrin activation in platelets and leukocytes. Here, we review the role of kindlin-3 in integrin activation and in different immune cell functions.
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