A recombinant or isolated integrin heterodimer comprising a novel subunit .alpha.10 in association with a subunit .beta. 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.