In this study we investigated the receptors by which murine lymphocytes bind to collagen and laminin. To identify the collagen and laminin receptors, we generated three monoclonal antibodies, two of which (HMα1 and HMα2) could inhibit adhesion of activated T cells to collagen and laminin and one of which (HMα6) could inhibit that to laminin. Biochemical studies showed that the antigens recognized by HMα1, HMα2, and HMα6 are the mouse homologues of human VLA‐1, VLA‐2, and VLA‐6, respectively. Finally, we demonstrated that both VLA‐1 and VLA‐2 contribute to the functional interaction between collagen and activated T cells, since HMα1 and HMα2 specifically inhibited collagen‐induced TNF secretion from activated T cells. These results indicate that VLA‐1 and VLA‐2 play an important role in regulating adhesion and cytokine production of activated T cells.