May bind integrin alpha-8/beta-1 and play a role in hair follicle morphogenesis. Promotes matrix assembly. Expressed at basement membrane of pelage follicles (at protein level). Detected in early lateral dermatome and in all dermatome derivatives. Expressed at the basement membrane of embryonic skin and developing hair follicles. At 16.5 dpc, present in lung epithelium, and developing oral and tooth germ epithelia (at protein level). Belongs to the nephronectin family.