A method of enhancing binding of cells to an integrin-binding ligand comprises treating integrin-expressing cells in vitro with an agonist of integrin, wherein the integrin is selected from the group consisting of ±4²1, ±4²1, ±4²7, ±4²3 and ±L²2, and contacting the treated cells with an integrin-binding ligand integrin agonist compounds having the general formula I methods of treating integrin-expressing cells with such agonists to enhance binding and therapeutic methods comprising administering agonist-treated cells or agonist compounds to a mammal.
