ITGA11 (integrin subunit alpha 11) encodes a collagen-binding receptor that functions as part of the integrin α11β1 complex, primarily expressed in mesenchymal tissues 1. The protein mediates cell-matrix adhesion through collagen binding and promotes cell migration, differentiation, and focal adhesion formation 1. ITGA11 plays a critical role in bone homeostasis: the Osteolectin/ITGA11 axis regulates bone elongation and body length by promoting growth plate chondrocyte proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of bone marrow stromal cells 2. In disease contexts, ITGA11 exhibits complex roles. PDGFRα+ITGA11+ cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) promote lymphangiogenesis and lymph node metastasis in early-stage bladder cancer by activating the SRC-p-VEGFR3-MAPK pathway 3. In rheumatoid arthritis, integrin α11 is upregulated in synovial fibroblasts and contributes to joint destruction; α11 deficiency reduces cartilage degradation and bone erosions in arthritic mice 4. Clinically, elevated ITGA11 expression is upregulated in non-small cell lung cancer and serves as a potential diagnostic biomarker 5. Conversely, higher plasma ITGA11 levels associate with decreased depression risk 6 and are predictive of Crohn's disease onset up to 16 years before diagnosis 7. ITGA11 is a component of pro-metastatic CAF signatures in breast cancer predicting poor outcomes 8.