A pharmaceutical formulation of a β2 integrin agonist including an effective amount of a β2 integrin agonist and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. A method of activating β2 integrins by interacting the β2 integrins with a β2 integrin agonist. A method of treating a patient by administering an effective amount of a β2integrin agonist, and activating β2 integrins. A method of treating inflammation by administering a β2 integrin agonist to a patient with inflammation, activating β2 integrins, and reducing inflammation. Methods of treating and/or preventing renal ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury, reducing injury in a patient due to insertion of a stent, performing an assay for the identification of small molecule modulators of β2 integrins, detecting a disease in a patient, and improving the general wellness of a patient.
