A recombinant or isolated integrin heterodimer comprising a novel subunit &alpha；10 in association with a subunit &bgr； is described. The &alpha；10 integrin may be purified from bovine chondrocytes on a collagen-type-II affinity column. The integrin or the subunit of &alpha；10 can be used as a marker or target of all types of cells, e.g. of chondrocytes, osteoblasts, and fibroblasts. The integrin or the subunit &alpha；10 thereof can be used as a marker or target in different physiological or therapeutic methods. They can also be used as active ingredients in pharmaceutical compositions and vaccines.
