We summarize publications appearing in the past year on the blood cell beta 1 integrins VLA-1 through -6, including characterization of their ligand interactions, activation epitopes, signaling mechanisms, cellular distribution, and in vivo relevance. These studies extend our understanding of the beta 1 integrins, and continue to underscore their importance in leukocyte biology, which derives from their central role in mechanisms of cellular adhesion, growth, and differentiation.