Integrin alpha-8/beta-1 functions in the genesis of kidney and probably of other organs by regulating the recruitment of mesenchymal cells into epithelial structures. It recognizes the sequence R-G-D in a wide array of ligands including TNC, FN1, SPP1 TGFB1, TGFB3 and VTN. NPNT is probably its functional ligand in kidney genesis. Neuronal receptor for TNC it mediates cell-cell interactions and regulates neurite outgrowth of sensory and motor neurons. . This is the function of ITGA8 (integrin subunit alpha 8, Ensembl gene identifier ENSG00000077943).