Collagens are the most abundant proteins in the mammalian body and it is well recognized that collagens fulfil an important structural role in tissues.

Major receptors for collagens are found within the DDR family (DDR1 and DDR2) and the collagen-binding subfamily of integrins (a1b1, a2b1, a10b1 and a11b1). The relative importance of these collagen receptors, and also their function in relation to other non-collagen receptors, anchoring cells in collagenous matrices, in vitro and in vivo, will be discussed. Special emphasis will be given to the a10b1 and a11b1 integrins, which are the most recent additions to the integrin family.