Integrins are a family of ab heterodimeric cell surface receptors, which link extracellular matrix proteins with the intracellular cytoskeleton. Integrins have an important role in the regulation of gene expression, cell proliferation, differentiation, migration and apoptosis. Activated myofibroblasts develop specialised focal adhesions, containing high levels of a5, b1 and b3 integrins [26] . ITGB1 serves as a mechanotransducer and expression of this integrin increases in the heart after MI [27] . ITGB1 is highly implicated in left ventricular remodelling and MI models have shown it is essential for the adaptive remodelling response [28] leading to the suggestion that the functional activity of ACE2 in cardiac remodelling may, at least in part, be mediated through ITGB1.