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Khan AQ, Al-Tamimi M, Anver R, Agha MV, Anamangadan G, Raza SS, Ahmad F, Ahmad A, Alam M, Buddenkotte J, Steinhoff M, Uddin S. Targeting of S-phase kinase associated protein 2 stabilized tumor suppressors leading to apoptotic cell death in squamous skin cancer cells. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Basis Dis 2024; 1870:167286. [PMID: 38866114 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbadis.2024.167286] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2023] [Revised: 05/29/2024] [Accepted: 06/04/2024] [Indexed: 06/14/2024]
Abstract
S-phase kinase-associated protein 2 (Skp2) is an F-box protein overexpressed in human cancers and linked with poor prognosis. It triggers cancer pathogenesis, including stemness and drug resistance. In this study, we have explored the potential role of Skp2 targeting in restoring the expression of tumor suppressors in human cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) cells. Our results showed that genetic and pharmacological Skp2 targeting markedly suppressed cSCC cell proliferation, colony growth, spheroid formation, and enhanced sensitization to chemotherapeutic drugs. Further, western blot results demonstrated restoration of tumor suppressor (KLF4) and CDKI (p21) and suppression of vimentin and survivin in Skp2-knocked-down cSCC cells. Importantly, we also explored that Skp2 targeting potentiates apoptosis of cSCC cells through MAPK signaling. Moreover, co-targeting of Skp2 and PI3K/AKT resulted in increased cancer cell death. Interestingly, curcumin, a well-known naturally derived anticancer agent, also inhibits Skp2 expression with concomitant CDKI upregulation. In line, curcumin suppressed cSCC cell growth through ROS-mediated apoptosis, while the use of N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) reversed curcumin-induced cell death. Curcumin treatment also sensitized cSCC cells to conventional anticancer drugs, such as cisplatin and doxorubicin. Altogether, these data suggest that Skp2 targeting restores the functioning of tumor suppressors, inhibits the expression of genes associated with cell proliferation and stemness, and sensitizes cancer cells to anticancer drugs. Thus, genetic, and pharmacological ablation of Skp2 can be an important strategy for attenuating cancer pathogenesis and associated complications in skin squamous cell carcinoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdul Q Khan
- Translational Research Institute, Academic Health System, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar.
| | - Maha Al-Tamimi
- Translational Research Institute, Academic Health System, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
| | - Rasheeda Anver
- Translational Research Institute, Academic Health System, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
| | - Maha Victor Agha
- Translational Research Institute, Academic Health System, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
| | - Gazala Anamangadan
- Translational Research Institute, Academic Health System, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
| | - Syed Shadab Raza
- Department of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Era University, Lucknow 226003, India
| | - Fareed Ahmad
- Translational Research Institute, Academic Health System, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar; Dermatology Institute, Academic Health System, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha 3050, Qatar; Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Rumailah Hospital, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha 3050, Qatar
| | - Aamir Ahmad
- Dermatology Institute, Academic Health System, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha 3050, Qatar; Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Rumailah Hospital, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha 3050, Qatar
| | - Majid Alam
- Translational Research Institute, Academic Health System, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar; Dermatology Institute, Academic Health System, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha 3050, Qatar; Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Rumailah Hospital, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha 3050, Qatar
| | - Joerg Buddenkotte
- Translational Research Institute, Academic Health System, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar; Dermatology Institute, Academic Health System, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha 3050, Qatar; Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Rumailah Hospital, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha 3050, Qatar
| | - Martin Steinhoff
- Translational Research Institute, Academic Health System, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar; Dermatology Institute, Academic Health System, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha 3050, Qatar; Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Rumailah Hospital, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha 3050, Qatar; Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine Qatar, Qatar Foundation-Education City, Doha 24144, Qatar; Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, 1300 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065, USA; College of Medicine, Qatar University, Doha 2713, Qatar.
| | - Shahab Uddin
- Translational Research Institute, Academic Health System, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar; Dermatology Institute, Academic Health System, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha 3050, Qatar; Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Rumailah Hospital, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha 3050, Qatar; Laboratory Animal Research Center, Qatar University, Doha 2713, Qatar.
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Cui YY, Yang YH, Zheng JY, Ma HH, Han X, Liao CS, Zhou M. Elevated neutrophil extracellular trap levels in periodontitis: Implications for keratinization and barrier function in gingival epithelium. J Clin Periodontol 2024. [PMID: 38839576 DOI: 10.1111/jcpe.14025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2023] [Revised: 04/18/2024] [Accepted: 05/19/2024] [Indexed: 06/07/2024]
Abstract
AIM To explore the levels of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) in patients with periodontitis and examine their effects on keratinization, barrier function of human gingival keratinocytes (HGKs) and the associated mechanisms. MATERIALS AND METHODS Saliva, gingival crevicular fluid (GCF), clinical periodontal parameters and gingival specimens were collected from 10 healthy control subjects and 10 patients with stage II-IV periodontitis to measure the NET levels. Subsequently, mRNA and protein levels of keratinization and barrier indicators, as well as intracellular calcium and epithelial barrier permeability, were analysed in HGKs after NET stimulation. RESULTS The study showed that NET levels significantly elevated in patients with periodontitis, across multiple specimens including saliva, GCF and gingival tissues. Stimulation of HGKs with NETs resulted in a decrease in the expressions of involucrin, cytokeratin 10, zonula occludens 1 and E-cadherin, along with decreased intracellular calcium levels and increased epithelial barrier permeability. Furthermore, the inhibition of keratinization by NETs is ERK-KLF4-dependent. CONCLUSIONS This study indicates that NETs impair the barrier function of HGKs and suppress keratinization through ERK/KLF4 axis. These findings provide potential targets for therapeutic approaches in periodontitis to address impaired gingival keratinization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ya-Yun Cui
- Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Tooth Restoration and Regeneration & Tongji Research Institute of Stomatology & Department of Periodontology, Stomatological Hospital and Dental School, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yi-Heng Yang
- Clinical Medicine Scientific and Technical Innovation Center, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Jia-Yi Zheng
- Clinical Medicine Scientific and Technical Innovation Center, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Hui-Hui Ma
- Clinical Medicine Scientific and Technical Innovation Center, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Xue Han
- Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Tooth Restoration and Regeneration & Tongji Research Institute of Stomatology & Department of Periodontology, Stomatological Hospital and Dental School, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Chong-Shan Liao
- Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Tooth Restoration and Regeneration & Tongji Research Institute of Stomatology & Department of Periodontology, Stomatological Hospital and Dental School, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Min Zhou
- Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Tooth Restoration and Regeneration & Tongji Research Institute of Stomatology & Department of Periodontology, Stomatological Hospital and Dental School, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
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3
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Han H, Qin H, Yang Y, Zhao L, Shen T, Pang Q. Effect of overexpression of KLF4 on the growth and development of hair follicles in mice. Dev Genes Evol 2023; 233:137-145. [PMID: 37561178 DOI: 10.1007/s00427-023-00708-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2022] [Accepted: 07/27/2023] [Indexed: 08/11/2023]
Abstract
Hair follicle growth is cyclical, and hair cycle dysfunction can lead to hair follicle-related disorders, including alopecia and hirsutism. The objective was to investigate the influence and underlying mechanism of Krüppel-like factor 4 (KLF4) overexpression on hair follicle growth and development in C57BL/6 mice. To provide a theoretical basis for the biological functions of KLF4 gene in hair follicle development and hair follicle cycle, mice were assigned to three groups: experimental, overexpressing KLF4 (Ad-KLF4); control, expressing green fluorescent protein (Ad-NC); and blank, no treatment. Fur was removed from the dorsal surface, and the mice were intradermally injected with 25 μL 1 × 1010 PFU/mL adenovirus vector (Ad-KLF4 or Ad-NC) at three points. Samples were collected for molecular biological and histological analysis. It was found that mRNA and protein levels of Wnt pathway-associated factors β-catenin, LEF1, hair follicle cell proliferation-related factor Ki67, and hair follicle inner caledrin marker AE15 were all significantly greater in the Ad-NC and blank groups than in Ad-KLF4 mice (P < 0.01). These findings were confirmed by immunohistochemical analysis. Hair growth was monitored photographically for 14 days, showing an absence of growth in the injected region of the KLF4-overexpressing mice in contrast to non-overexpressing areas where hair growth was normal. HE staining showed that hair follicles in the blank and Ad-NC mice were normal, while those in the KLF4-overexpressing areas remained in telogen or early anagen with spherical dermal papillae situated at the edge of the dermis and subcutaneous tissue without an inner heel sheath. In conclusion, it was found that KLF4 downregulated key Wnt/β-catenin-associated factors during follicular regeneration in mice, reducing both follicular development and growth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongyu Han
- Shanxi Agricultural University, Shan Xi, China
| | - Hong Qin
- Shanxi Agricultural University, Shan Xi, China
| | - Yu Yang
- Shanxi Agricultural University, Shan Xi, China
| | - Lijun Zhao
- Shanxi Agricultural University, Shan Xi, China
| | - Tong Shen
- Shanxi Agricultural University, Shan Xi, China
| | - Quanhai Pang
- Shanxi Agricultural University, Shan Xi, China.
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Shanxi Agricultural University, No. 1 Mingxian South Road, Tai Gu, Shan Xi, 030801, China.
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4
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Shlepova OV, Shulepko MA, Shipunova VO, Bychkov ML, Kukushkin ID, Chulina IA, Azev VN, Shramova EI, Kazakov VA, Ismailova AM, Palikova YA, Palikov VA, Kalabina EA, Shaykhutdinova EA, Slashcheva GA, Tukhovskaya EA, Dyachenko IA, Murashev AN, Deyev SM, Kirpichnikov MP, Shenkarev ZO, Lyukmanova EN. Selective targeting of α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor by synthetic peptide mimicking loop I of human SLURP-1 provides efficient and prolonged therapy of epidermoid carcinoma in vivo. Front Cell Dev Biol 2023; 11:1256716. [PMID: 37854069 PMCID: PMC10580074 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2023.1256716] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2023] [Accepted: 09/19/2023] [Indexed: 10/20/2023] Open
Abstract
α7-Type nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (α7-nAChR) promotes the growth and metastasis of solid tumors. Secreted Ly6/uPAR-Related Protein 1 (SLURP-1) is a specific negative modulator of α7-nAChR produced by epithelial cells. Here, we investigated mechanisms of antiproliferative activity of recombinant SLURP-1 in epidermoid carcinoma A431 cells and activity of SLURP-1 and synthetic 21 a.a. peptide mimicking its loop I (Oncotag) in a xenograft mice model of epidermoid carcinoma. SLURP-1 inhibited the mitogenic pathways and transcription factors in A431 cells, and its antiproliferative activity depended on α7-nAChR. Intravenous treatment of mice with SLURP-1 or Oncotag for 10 days suppressed the tumor growth and metastasis and induced sustained changes in gene and microRNA expression in the tumors. Both SLURP-1 and Oncotag demonstrated no acute toxicity. Surprisingly, Oncotag led to a longer suppression of pro-oncogenic signaling and downregulated expression of pro-oncogenic miR-221 and upregulated expression of KLF4 protein responsible for control of cell differentiation. Affinity purification revealed SLURP-1 interactions with both α7-nAChR and EGFR and selective Oncotag interaction with α7-nAChR. Thus, the selective inhibition of α7-nAChRs by drugs based on Oncotag may be a promising strategy for cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- O. V. Shlepova
- NTI Center, Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
- Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, National Research University, Dolgoprudny, Russia
| | - M. A. Shulepko
- Faculty of Biology, Shenzhen MSU-BIT University, Shenzhen, China
| | - V. O. Shipunova
- Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, National Research University, Dolgoprudny, Russia
- Immunology Department, Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | - M. L. Bychkov
- NTI Center, Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | - I. D. Kukushkin
- Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, National Research University, Dolgoprudny, Russia
- Bioengineering Department, Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | - I. A. Chulina
- Branch of Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry RAS, Pushchino, Russia
| | - V. N. Azev
- Branch of Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry RAS, Pushchino, Russia
| | - E. I. Shramova
- Immunology Department, Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | - V. A. Kazakov
- Branch of Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry RAS, Pushchino, Russia
| | - A. M. Ismailova
- Branch of Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry RAS, Pushchino, Russia
| | - Y. A. Palikova
- Branch of Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry RAS, Pushchino, Russia
| | - V. A. Palikov
- Branch of Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry RAS, Pushchino, Russia
| | - E. A. Kalabina
- Branch of Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry RAS, Pushchino, Russia
| | - E. A. Shaykhutdinova
- Branch of Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry RAS, Pushchino, Russia
| | - G. A. Slashcheva
- Branch of Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry RAS, Pushchino, Russia
| | - E. A. Tukhovskaya
- Branch of Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry RAS, Pushchino, Russia
| | - I. A. Dyachenko
- Branch of Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry RAS, Pushchino, Russia
| | - A. N. Murashev
- Branch of Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry RAS, Pushchino, Russia
| | - S. M. Deyev
- Immunology Department, Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
- Biomarker Research Laboratory, Institute of Fundamental Medicine and Biology, Kazan Federal University, Kazan, Russia
- Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University (Sechenov University), Moscow, Russia
| | - M. P. Kirpichnikov
- Bioengineering Department, Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
- Interdisciplinary Scientific and Educational School of Moscow University Molecular Technologies of the Living Systems and Synthetic Biology, Faculty of Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Leninskie Gory, Moscow, Russia
| | - Z. O. Shenkarev
- NTI Center, Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
- Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, National Research University, Dolgoprudny, Russia
- Structural Biology Department, Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | - E. N. Lyukmanova
- Faculty of Biology, Shenzhen MSU-BIT University, Shenzhen, China
- Bioengineering Department, Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
- Interdisciplinary Scientific and Educational School of Moscow University Molecular Technologies of the Living Systems and Synthetic Biology, Faculty of Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Leninskie Gory, Moscow, Russia
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5
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He Z, He J, Xie K. KLF4 transcription factor in tumorigenesis. Cell Death Discov 2023; 9:118. [PMID: 37031197 PMCID: PMC10082813 DOI: 10.1038/s41420-023-01416-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2023] [Revised: 03/22/2023] [Accepted: 03/24/2023] [Indexed: 04/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Krüppel-like transcriptional factor is important in maintaining cellular functions. Deletion of Krüppel-like transcriptional factor usually causes abnormal embryonic development and even embryonic death. KLF4 is a prominent member of this family, and embryonic deletion of KLF4 leads to alterations in skin permeability and postnatal death. In addition to its important role in embryo development, it also plays a critical role in inflammation and malignancy. It has been investigated that KLF4 has a regulatory role in a variety of cancers, including lung, breast, prostate, colorectal, pancreatic, hepatocellular, ovarian, esophageal, bladder and brain cancer. However, the role of KLF4 in tumorigenesis is complex, which may link to its unique structure with both transcriptional activation and transcriptional repression domains, and to the regulation of its upstream and downstream signaling molecules. In this review, we will summarize the structural and functional aspects of KLF4, with a focus on KLF4 as a clinical biomarker and therapeutic target in different types of tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhihong He
- Center for Pancreatic Cancer Research, The South China University of Technology School of Medicine, Guangzhou, China
- The South China University of Technology Comprehensive Cancer Center, Guangdong, China
| | - Jie He
- The Second Affiliated Hospital and Guangzhou First People's Hospital, South China University of Technology School of Medicine, Guangdong, China
| | - Keping Xie
- Center for Pancreatic Cancer Research, The South China University of Technology School of Medicine, Guangzhou, China.
- The South China University of Technology Comprehensive Cancer Center, Guangdong, China.
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Depoërs L, Dumont-Lagacé M, Trinh VQH, Houques C, Côté C, Larouche JD, Brochu S, Perreault C. Klf4 protects thymus integrity during late pregnancy. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1016378. [PMID: 37180153 PMCID: PMC10174329 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1016378] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2022] [Accepted: 04/12/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Pregnancy causes abrupt thymic atrophy. This atrophy is characterized by a severe decrease in the number of all thymocyte subsets and qualitative (but not quantitative) changes in thymic epithelial cells (TECs). Pregnancy-related thymic involution is triggered by progesterone-induced functional changes affecting mainly cortical TECs (cTECs). Remarkably, this severe involution is rapidly corrected following parturition. We postulated that understanding the mechanisms of pregnancy-related thymic changes could provide novel insights into signaling pathways regulating TEC function. When we analyzed genes whose expression in TECs was modified during late pregnancy, we found a strong enrichment in genes bearing KLF4 transcription factor binding motifs. We, therefore, engineered a Psmb11-iCre : Klf4lox/lox mouse model to study the impact of TEC-specific Klf4 deletion in steady-state conditions and during late pregnancy. Under steady-state conditions, Klf4 deletion had a minimal effect on TEC subsets and did not affect thymic architecture. However, pregnancy-induced thymic involution was much more pronounced in pregnant females lacking Klf4 expression in TECs. These mice displayed a substantial ablation of TECs with a more pronounced loss of thymocytes. Transcriptomic and phenotypic analyses of Klf4 -/- TECs revealed that Klf4 maintains cTEC numbers by supporting cell survival and preventing epithelial-to-mesenchymal plasticity during late pregnancy. We conclude that Klf4 is essential for preserving TEC's integrity and mitigating thymic involution during late pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucyle Depoërs
- Department of Medicine, Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Maude Dumont-Lagacé
- ExCellThera, Inc., Montréal, QC, Canada
- Piercing Star Technologies, Rabat, Morocco
| | - Vincent Quoc-Huy Trinh
- Department of Medicine, Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
- Department of Pathology and Cellular Biology, Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer, and Centre de recherche du Centre hospitalier de l’Université de Montréal, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Chloé Houques
- Institut de Génétique Moléculaire de Montpellier, Université de Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Caroline Côté
- Department of Medicine, Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Jean-David Larouche
- Department of Medicine, Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Sylvie Brochu
- Department of Medicine, Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
- *Correspondence: Sylvie Brochu, ; Claude Perreault,
| | - Claude Perreault
- Department of Medicine, Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
- *Correspondence: Sylvie Brochu, ; Claude Perreault,
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7
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Kotarba G, Taracha-Wisniewska A, Miller M, Dabrowski M, Wilanowski T. Transcription factors Krüppel-like factor 4 and paired box 5 regulate the expression of the Grainyhead-like genes. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0257977. [PMID: 34570823 PMCID: PMC8476022 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0257977] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2021] [Accepted: 09/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Genes from the Grainyhead-like (GRHL) family code for transcription factors necessary for the development and maintenance of various epithelia. These genes are also very important in the development of many types of cancer. However, little is known about the regulation of expression of GRHL genes. Previously, there were no systematic analyses of the promoters of GRHL genes or transcription factors that bind to these promoters. Here we report that the Krüppel-like factor 4 (KLF4) and the paired box 5 factor (PAX5) bind to the regulatory regions of the GRHL genes and regulate their expression. Ectopic expression of KLF4 or PAX5 alters the expression of GRHL genes. In KLF4-overexpressing HEK293 cells, the expression of GRHL1 and GRHL3 genes was upregulated by 32% and 60%, respectively, whereas the mRNA level of GRHL2 gene was lowered by 28% when compared to the respective controls. The levels of GRHL1 and GRHL3 expression were decreased by 30% or 33% in PAX5-overexpressing HEK293 cells. The presence of minor frequency allele of single nucleotide polymorphism rs115898376 in the promoter of the GRHL1 gene affected the binding of KLF4 to this site. The evidence presented here suggests an important role of KLF4 and PAX5 in the regulation of expression of GRHL1-3 genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Grzegorz Kotarba
- Faculty of Biology, Institute of Genetics and Biotechnology, University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | | | - Michal Miller
- Laboratory of Bioinformatics, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology of Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Michal Dabrowski
- Laboratory of Bioinformatics, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology of Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Tomasz Wilanowski
- Faculty of Biology, Institute of Genetics and Biotechnology, University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
- * E-mail:
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8
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Yuan Y, Salinas Parra N, Chen Q, Iglesias-Bartolome R. Oncogenic Hedgehog-smoothened signaling depends on YAP1-TAZ/TEAD transcription to restrain differentiation in basal cell carcinoma. J Invest Dermatol 2021; 142:65-76.e7. [PMID: 34293352 DOI: 10.1016/j.jid.2021.06.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2021] [Revised: 06/09/2021] [Accepted: 06/10/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Disruption of the transcriptional activity of the Hippo pathway members YAP1 and TAZ has become a major target for cancer treatment. However, detailed analysis of the effectivity and networks affected by YAP1/TAZ transcriptional targeting are limited. Here, we utilize TEADi, an inhibitor of the binding of YAP1 and TAZ with their main transcriptional target TEAD in a mouse model of basal cell carcinoma (BCC) to unveil the consequences of YAP1/TAZ transcriptional inhibition in cancer cells. Both TEADi and YAP1/TAZ knockdown lead to reduced proliferation and increased differentiation of mouse BCC driven by oncogenic Hedgehog-Smoothened (SmoM2) activity. While TEAD transcriptional networks were essential to inactivate differentiation in BCC, this inactivation was found to be indirect and potentially mediated through the repression of KLF4 by SNAI2. By comparing the transcriptional effects of TEADi with those caused by YAP1/TAZ depletion, we determined YAP1/TAZ TEAD-independent effects in cancer cells that impact STAT3 and NF-κB. Our results reveal the gene networks affected by targeting YAP1/TAZ-TEAD in BCC tumors and expose potential pitfalls for targeting TEAD transcription in cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yao Yuan
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Natalia Salinas Parra
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Qianming Chen
- The Affiliated Stomatology Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Ramiro Iglesias-Bartolome
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA.
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9
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Yucel Polat A, Ayva ES, Gurdal H, Ozdemir BH, Gur Dedeoglu B. MiR-25 and KLF4 relationship has early prognostic significance in the development of cervical cancer. Pathol Res Pract 2021; 222:153435. [PMID: 33862560 DOI: 10.1016/j.prp.2021.153435] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2021] [Revised: 03/25/2021] [Accepted: 04/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Cervical squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is one of the common cancer types among women. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNAs that play an important role in the formation and development of many cancer types by regulating expression of their targets. While many studies have investigated the relationship between miRNAs and cervical cancer, no robust miRNA biomarkers have been defined yet for diagnosis of cervical lesions. In this study, we performed a statistical meta-analysis to identify miRNAs and a class compassion analysis to evaluate mRNAs with the power to discriminate between normal, intraepithelial lesions and invasive cancer samples. Differentially expressed (DE) mRNAs were compared with the targets of meta-miRNAs. After bioinfomatics analysis and qRT-PCR validations with cytology samples and FFPE tissues, we defined miR-25 and its target KLF4 (Kruppel-like factor 4) as candidate biomarkers for in vitro studies. Our results showed that miR-25 expression was significantly higher in precancerous lesions and invasive carcinoma while presenting consistent expression patterns in both cytological and FFPE tissue samples. In line with this, its direct target KLF4 expression decreased in precancerous lesions in cytological samples and also in the invasive cancer group in FFPE tissues. Furthermore, in vitro studies showed that mir-25 inhibition decreased proliferation and motility of HeLa cells and promoted an increase in the protein level of KLF4. We conclude that inhibition of miR-25 may upregulate KLF4 expression and regulate cell proliferation and motility in cervical cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ebru Sebnem Ayva
- Baskent University, Medical School, Department of Pathology, Ankara, Turkey.
| | - Hakan Gurdal
- Ankara University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Medical Pharmacology, Ankara, Turkey.
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10
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Recent Discoveries on the Involvement of Krüppel-Like Factor 4 in the Most Common Cancer Types. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21228843. [PMID: 33266506 PMCID: PMC7700188 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21228843] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2020] [Revised: 11/20/2020] [Accepted: 11/21/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Krüppel-like factor 4 (KLF4) is a transcription factor highly conserved in evolution. It is particularly well known for its role in inducing pluripotent stem cells. In addition, KLF4 plays many roles in cancer. The results of most studies suggest that KLF4 is a tumor suppressor. However, the functioning of KLF4 is regulated at many levels. These include regulation of transcription, alternative splicing, miRNA, post-translational modifications, subcellular localization, protein stability and interactions with other molecules. Simple experiments aimed at assaying transcript levels or protein levels fail to address this complexity and thus may deliver misleading results. Tumor subtypes are also important; for example, in prostate cancer KLF4 is highly expressed in indolent tumors where it impedes tumor progression, while it is absent from aggressive prostate tumors. KLF4 is important in regulating response to many known drugs, and it also plays a role in tumor microenvironment. More and more information is available about upstream regulators, downstream targets and signaling pathways associated with the involvement of KLF4 in cancer. Furthermore, KLF4 performs critical function in the overall regulation of tissue homeostasis, cellular integrity, and progression towards malignancy. Here we summarize and analyze the latest findings concerning this fascinating transcription factor.
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11
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Yuan Y, Park J, Feng A, Awasthi P, Wang Z, Chen Q, Iglesias-Bartolome R. YAP1/TAZ-TEAD transcriptional networks maintain skin homeostasis by regulating cell proliferation and limiting KLF4 activity. Nat Commun 2020; 11:1472. [PMID: 32193376 PMCID: PMC7081327 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-15301-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2019] [Accepted: 02/27/2020] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The Hippo TEAD-transcriptional regulators YAP1 and TAZ are central for cell renewal and cancer growth; however, the specific downstream gene networks involved in their activity are not completely understood. Here we introduce TEADi, a genetically encoded inhibitor of the interaction of YAP1 and TAZ with TEAD, as a tool to characterize the transcriptional networks and biological effects regulated by TEAD transcription factors. Blockage of TEAD activity by TEADi in human keratinocytes and mouse skin leads to reduced proliferation and rapid activation of differentiation programs. Analysis of gene networks affected by TEADi and YAP1/TAZ knockdown identifies KLF4 as a central transcriptional node regulated by YAP1/TAZ-TEAD in keratinocyte differentiation. Moreover, we show that TEAD and KLF4 can regulate the activity of each other, indicating that these factors are part of a transcriptional regulatory loop. Our study establishes TEADi as a resource for studying YAP1/TAZ-TEAD dependent effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yao Yuan
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Jeannie Park
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Amber Feng
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Parirokh Awasthi
- Laboratory of Animal Sciences Program, Leidos Biomedical Research Inc., Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, National Institutes of Health, Frederick, MD, USA
| | - Zhiyong Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- Moores Cancer Center, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Qianming Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Ramiro Iglesias-Bartolome
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA.
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12
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Leng Z, Li Y, Zhou G, Lv X, Ai W, Li J, Hou L. Krüppel-like factor 4 regulates stemness and mesenchymal properties of colorectal cancer stem cells through the TGF-β1/Smad/snail pathway. J Cell Mol Med 2020; 24:1866-1877. [PMID: 31830379 PMCID: PMC6991673 DOI: 10.1111/jcmm.14882] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2019] [Revised: 09/09/2019] [Accepted: 09/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Krüppel-like factor 4 (KLF4) was closely associated with epithelial-mesenchymal transition and stemness in colorectal cancer stem cells (CSCs)-enriched spheroid cells. Nonetheless, the underlying molecular mechanism is unclear. This study showed that KLF4 overexpression was accompanied with stemness and mesenchymal features in Lgr5+ CD44+ EpCAM+ colorectal CSCs. KLF4 knockdown suppressed stemness, mesenchymal features and activation of the TGF-β1 pathway, whereas enforced KLF4 overexpression activated TGF-β1, phosphorylation of Smad 2/3 and Snail expression, and restored stemness and mesenchymal phenotypes. Furthermore, TGF-β1 pathway inhibition invalidated KLF4-facilitated stemness and mesenchymal features without affecting KLF4 expression. The data from the current study are the first to demonstrate that KLF4 maintains stemness and mesenchymal properties through the TGF-β1/Smad/Snail pathway in Lgr5+ CD44+ EpCAM+ colorectal CSCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhengwei Leng
- Northeast Sichuan Acute Pancreatic Research CenterNorth Sichuan Medical CollegeSichuanChina
- Cancer Stem Cells Research CenterAffiliated Hospital of North Sichuan Medical CollegeSichuanChina
| | - Yong Li
- Northeast Sichuan Acute Pancreatic Research CenterNorth Sichuan Medical CollegeSichuanChina
| | - Guojun Zhou
- Northeast Sichuan Acute Pancreatic Research CenterNorth Sichuan Medical CollegeSichuanChina
| | - Xiaojiang Lv
- Northeast Sichuan Acute Pancreatic Research CenterNorth Sichuan Medical CollegeSichuanChina
| | - Walden Ai
- Department of Biology, Chemistry and Environmental Health ScienceBenedict CollegeColumbiaSCUSA
| | - Jianshui Li
- Northeast Sichuan Acute Pancreatic Research CenterNorth Sichuan Medical CollegeSichuanChina
| | - Lingmi Hou
- Northeast Sichuan Acute Pancreatic Research CenterNorth Sichuan Medical CollegeSichuanChina
- Cancer Stem Cells Research CenterAffiliated Hospital of North Sichuan Medical CollegeSichuanChina
- Thyriod and Breast SurgeryAffiliated Hospital of North Sichuan Medical CollegeSichuanChina
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13
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Fortunel NO, Chadli L, Coutier J, Lemaître G, Auvré F, Domingues S, Bouissou-Cadio E, Vaigot P, Cavallero S, Deleuze JF, Roméo PH, Martin MT. KLF4 inhibition promotes the expansion of keratinocyte precursors from adult human skin and of embryonic-stem-cell-derived keratinocytes. Nat Biomed Eng 2019; 3:985-997. [PMID: 31636412 DOI: 10.1038/s41551-019-0464-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2018] [Accepted: 09/13/2019] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Expanded autologous skin keratinocytes are currently used in cutaneous cell therapy, and embryonic-stem-cell-derived keratinocytes could become a complementary alternative. Regardless of keratinocyte provenance, for efficient therapy it is necessary to preserve immature keratinocyte precursors during cell expansion and graft processing. Here, we show that stable and transient downregulation of the transcription factor Krüppel-like factor 4 (KLF4) in keratinocyte precursors from adult skin, using anti-KLF4 RNA interference or kenpaullone, promotes keratinocyte immaturity and keratinocyte self-renewal in vitro, and enhances the capacity for epidermal regeneration in mice. Both stable and transient KLF4 downregulation had no impact on the genomic integrity of adult keratinocytes. Moreover, transient KLF4 downregulation in human-embryonic-stem-cell-derived keratinocytes increased the efficiency of skin-orientated differentiation and of keratinocyte immaturity, and was associated with improved generation of epidermis. As a regulator of the cell fate of keratinocyte precursors, KLF4 could be used for promoting the ex vivo expansion and maintenance of functional immature keratinocyte precursors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicolas O Fortunel
- Laboratoire de Génomique et Radiobiologie de la Kératinopoïèse, CEA/DRF/IBFJ/IRCM, Evry, France. .,INSERM U967, Université Paris-Diderot, Paris, France. .,Université Paris-Saclay, Paris, France.
| | - Loubna Chadli
- Laboratoire de Génomique et Radiobiologie de la Kératinopoïèse, CEA/DRF/IBFJ/IRCM, Evry, France.,INSERM U967, Université Paris-Diderot, Paris, France.,Université Paris-Saclay, Paris, France
| | - Julien Coutier
- Laboratoire de Génomique et Radiobiologie de la Kératinopoïèse, CEA/DRF/IBFJ/IRCM, Evry, France.,INSERM U967, Université Paris-Diderot, Paris, France.,Université Paris-Saclay, Paris, France
| | - Gilles Lemaître
- Université d'Evry Val d'Essonne, Université Paris-Saclay, INSERM U861, Institut des Cellules Souches pour le Traitement et l'Etude des Maladies Monogéniques, Corbeil Essonne, France
| | - Frédéric Auvré
- Laboratoire de Génomique et Radiobiologie de la Kératinopoïèse, CEA/DRF/IBFJ/IRCM, Evry, France.,INSERM U967, Université Paris-Diderot, Paris, France.,Université Paris-Saclay, Paris, France
| | - Sophie Domingues
- Centre d'Etude des Cellules Souches, Institut des Cellules Souches pour le Traitement et l'Etude des Maladies Monogéniques, Corbeil Essonne, France
| | - Emmanuelle Bouissou-Cadio
- Laboratoire de Génomique et Radiobiologie de la Kératinopoïèse, CEA/DRF/IBFJ/IRCM, Evry, France.,INSERM U967, Université Paris-Diderot, Paris, France.,Université Paris-Saclay, Paris, France
| | - Pierre Vaigot
- Laboratoire de Génomique et Radiobiologie de la Kératinopoïèse, CEA/DRF/IBFJ/IRCM, Evry, France.,INSERM U967, Université Paris-Diderot, Paris, France.,Université Paris-Saclay, Paris, France
| | - Sophie Cavallero
- Laboratoire de Génomique et Radiobiologie de la Kératinopoïèse, CEA/DRF/IBFJ/IRCM, Evry, France.,INSERM U967, Université Paris-Diderot, Paris, France.,Université Paris-Saclay, Paris, France
| | | | - Paul-Henri Roméo
- INSERM U967, Université Paris-Diderot, Paris, France.,Université Paris-Saclay, Paris, France.,Laboratoire de Recherche sur la Réparation et la Transcription dans les Cellules Souches, CEA/DRF/IBFJ/IRCM, Fontenay-aux-Roses, France
| | - Michèle T Martin
- Laboratoire de Génomique et Radiobiologie de la Kératinopoïèse, CEA/DRF/IBFJ/IRCM, Evry, France. .,INSERM U967, Université Paris-Diderot, Paris, France. .,Université Paris-Saclay, Paris, France.
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14
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Li XM, Kim SJ, Hong DK, Jung KE, Choi CW, Seo YJ, Lee JH, Lee Y, Kim CD. KLF4 suppresses the tumor activity of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) cells via the regulation of SMAD signaling and SOX2 expression. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2019; 516:1110-1115. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2019.07.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2019] [Accepted: 07/03/2019] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
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15
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Gatti V, Fierro C, Annicchiarico-Petruzzelli M, Melino G, Peschiaroli A. ΔNp63 in squamous cell carcinoma: defining the oncogenic routes affecting epigenetic landscape and tumour microenvironment. Mol Oncol 2019; 13:981-1001. [PMID: 30845357 PMCID: PMC6487733 DOI: 10.1002/1878-0261.12473] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2019] [Revised: 02/21/2019] [Accepted: 02/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is a treatment‐refractory tumour which arises from the epithelium of diverse anatomical sites such as oesophagus, head and neck, lung and skin. Accumulating evidence has revealed a number of genomic, clinical and molecular features commonly observed in SCC of distinct origins. Some of these genetic events culminate in fostering the activity of ΔNp63, a potent oncogene which exerts its pro‐tumourigenic effects by regulating specific transcriptional programmes to sustain malignant cell proliferation and survival. In this review, we will describe the genetic and epigenetic determinants underlying ΔNp63 oncogenic activities in SCC, and discuss some relevant transcriptional effectors of ΔNp63, emphasizing their impact in modulating the crosstalk between tumour cells and tumour microenvironment (TME).
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Affiliation(s)
- Veronica Gatti
- Department of Experimental Medicine, TOR, University of Rome, Tor Vergata, Italy
| | - Claudia Fierro
- Department of Experimental Medicine, TOR, University of Rome, Tor Vergata, Italy
| | | | - Gerry Melino
- Department of Experimental Medicine, TOR, University of Rome, Tor Vergata, Italy.,Medical Research Council, Toxicology Unit, University of Cambridge, UK
| | - Angelo Peschiaroli
- National Research Council of Italy, Institute of Translational Pharmacology, Rome, Italy
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16
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Ko H, Hasegawa H, Ochiai T, Shimada K, Roy RR, Aizawa S, Yamada H. Loss of Basal Cell Character in Regenerating Oral Squamous Epithelium with Altered Expression of Desmoglein 1, Desmocollin 3 and Keratin 19. J HARD TISSUE BIOL 2019. [DOI: 10.2485/jhtb.28.43] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Hirokuni Ko
- Department of Oral Pathology, Matsumoto Dental University
- Kou Dental Clinic
| | - Hiromasa Hasegawa
- Hard Tissue Pathology Unit, Graduate School of Oral Medicine, Matsumoto Dental University
- Surgical Pathology Unit of Matsumoto Dental University Hospital
| | - Takanaga Ochiai
- Department of Oral Pathology, Matsumoto Dental University
- Hard Tissue Pathology Unit, Graduate School of Oral Medicine, Matsumoto Dental University
- Surgical Pathology Unit of Matsumoto Dental University Hospital
| | - Katsumitsu Shimada
- Department of Oral Pathology, Matsumoto Dental University
- Surgical Pathology Unit of Matsumoto Dental University Hospital
| | - Rita Rani Roy
- Hard Tissue Pathology Unit, Graduate School of Oral Medicine, Matsumoto Dental University
| | | | - Haruki Yamada
- Department of Oral Pathology, Matsumoto Dental University
- Surgery Unit, Iwaki Kusakidai General Clinic
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17
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Brauer PR, Kim JH, Ochoa HJ, Stratton ER, Black KM, Rosencrans W, Stacey E, Hagos EG. Krüppel-like factor 4 mediates cellular migration and invasion by altering RhoA activity. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2018; 24:1-10. [PMID: 29498307 DOI: 10.1080/15419061.2018.1444034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Kru¨ppel like factor 4 (KLF4) is a transcription factor that regulates genes related to differentiation and proliferation. KLF4 also plays a role in metastasis via epithelial to mesenchymal transition. Here, we investigate the function of Klf4 in migration and invasion using mouse embryonic fibroblasts and the RKO human colon cancer cell line. Compared to wild-type, cells lacking Klf4 exhibited increased migration-associated phenotypes. In addition, overexpression of Klf4 in Klf4-/- MEFs attenuated the presence of stress fibers to wild-type levels. An invasion assay suggested that lack of Klf4 resulted in increased invasive capacity. Finally, analysis of RhoA showed elevated RhoA activity in both RKO and MEF cells. Taken together, our results strongly support the novel role of KLF4 in a post-translational regulatory mechanism where KLF4 indirectly modulates the actin cytoskeleton morphology via activity of RhoA in order to inhibit cellular migration and invasion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philip R Brauer
- a Department of Biology , Colgate University , Hamilton , NY , USA
| | - Jee Hun Kim
- a Department of Biology , Colgate University , Hamilton , NY , USA
| | - Humberto J Ochoa
- a Department of Biology , Colgate University , Hamilton , NY , USA.,b Center for Cancer Research, Lab of Cancer Biology and Genetics , National Cancer Institute , Bethesda , MD , USA
| | | | - Kathryn M Black
- a Department of Biology , Colgate University , Hamilton , NY , USA.,c School of Medicine , Tulane University , New Orleans , LA , USA
| | | | - Eliza Stacey
- a Department of Biology , Colgate University , Hamilton , NY , USA
| | - Engda G Hagos
- a Department of Biology , Colgate University , Hamilton , NY , USA
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18
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Zhu M, Zhang N, Lu X, He S. Negative Regulation of Kruppel-Like Factor 4 on microRNA-106a at Upstream Transcriptional Level and the Role in Gastric Cancer Metastasis. Dig Dis Sci 2018; 63:2604-2616. [PMID: 29948558 DOI: 10.1007/s10620-018-5143-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2018] [Accepted: 05/28/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND MicroRNAs are classes of endogenous noncoding RNAs that play a substantial role in tumor processes through regulating the targets at posttranscriptional level. However, little is known about the upstream transcription regulatory mechanism although it is a prerequisite for investigation of its aberrant expression and function. AIMS This report evaluates miR-106a's direct transcriptional factor from upstream level to in depth elucidate their communication in gastric cancer development. METHODS Gastric cancer tissues were collected to analyze the miR-106a expression using real-time PCR methods. The combination of Kruppel (or Krüppel)-like factor 4 (KLF4) to miR-106a promoter was testified through bioinformatics followed by construction of luciferase reporter plasmid and chromatin immunoprecipitation assay. Functional experiments and mouse models for evaluating cell growth and metastasis were conducted to observe the biological effect of KLF4 on miR-106a. The interplay between KLF4 and miR-106a was tested with Wnt activator and confirmed in clinical specimens. RESULTS The up-regulated miR-106a linked to gastric cancer metastasis and epithelial-mesenchymal transition. UCSC and JASPAR predicted the promoter sequence of miR-106a and its binding site with transcriptional factor KLF4. Construction of reporter gene further verified their direct combination at upstream level. Moreover, the inhibitory effect of KLF4 on the phenotype of gastric cancer cells could be restored by miR-106a. CHIR-induced experiment and clinical specimens confirmed the negative regulation of KLF4 on miR-106a. CONCLUSIONS Our findings provide novel direct insights into molecular mechanisms for interaction of KLF4 and miR-106a at upstream level and new ways for clinical application of KLF4-miR-106a axis in advanced gastric cancer metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meng Zhu
- Department of Gastroenterology, First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, 277 West Yanta Road, Xi'an, 710061, Shaanxi, People's Republic of China
| | - Ning Zhang
- Department of Pathology, General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, Ningxia, People's Republic of China
| | - Xinlan Lu
- Department of Gastroenterology, First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, 277 West Yanta Road, Xi'an, 710061, Shaanxi, People's Republic of China
| | - Shuixiang He
- Department of Gastroenterology, First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, 277 West Yanta Road, Xi'an, 710061, Shaanxi, People's Republic of China.
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19
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Wang L, Shen F, Stroehlein JR, Wei D. Context-dependent functions of KLF4 in cancers: Could alternative splicing isoforms be the key? Cancer Lett 2018; 438:10-16. [PMID: 30217565 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2018.09.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2018] [Revised: 08/10/2018] [Accepted: 09/02/2018] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Krüppel-like factor 4 (KLF4) is an important transcription factor that is expressed in a variety of tissues and regulates many critical physiologic and cellular processes, including cell proliferation, differentiation, stem cell reprogramming, maintenance of genomic stability, and normal tissue homeostasis. KLF4 has both tumor suppressive and oncogenic functions in gastrointestinal and other cancers. These functions are thought to be context dependent, but how KLF4 exerts these differential functions and the molecular mechanisms behind them remain poorly understood. Recent studies have shown that the KLF4 gene undergoes alternative splicing, and the protein products of certain transcripts antagonize wild-type KLF4 function, suggesting an additional layer of regulation of KLF4 function. Therefore, detailed study of KLF4 alternative splicing may not only provide new insights into the complexity of KLF4 functions but also lead to rational targeting of KLF4 for cancer prevention and therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liang Wang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Feng Shen
- Department of Neurosurgery, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - John R Stroehlein
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Daoyan Wei
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA.
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20
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Feng W, Xie Q, Liu S, Ji Y, Li C, Wang C, Jin L. Krüppel-like factor 4 promotes c-Met amplification-mediated gefitinib resistance in non-small-cell lung cancer. Cancer Sci 2018; 109:1775-1786. [PMID: 29624806 PMCID: PMC5989843 DOI: 10.1111/cas.13601] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2017] [Revised: 03/13/2018] [Accepted: 03/28/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Gefitinib has been widely used in the first‐line treatment of advanced EGFR‐mutated non‐small‐cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, many NSCLC patients will acquire resistance to gefitinib after 9‐14 months of treatment. This study revealed that Krüppel‐like factor 4 (KLF4) contributes to the formation of gefitinib resistance in c‐Met‐overexpressing NSCLC cells. We observed that KLF4 was overexpressed in c‐Met‐overexpressing NSCLC cells and tissues. Knockdown of KLF4 increased tumorigenic properties in gefitinib‐resistant NSCLC cell lines without c‐Met overexpression, but it reduced tumorigenic properties and increased gefitinib sensitivity in gefitinib‐resistant NSCLC cells with c‐Met overexpression, whereas overexpression of KLF4 reduced gefitinib sensitivity in gefitinib‐sensitive NSCLC cells. Furthermore, Western blot analysis revealed that KLF4 contributed to the formation of gefitinib resistance in c‐Met‐overexpressing NSCLC cells by inhibiting the expression of apoptosis‐related proteins under gefitinib treatment and activating the c‐Met/Akt signaling pathway by decreasing the inhibition of β‐catenin on phosphorylation of c‐Met to prevent blockade by gefitinib. In summary, this study's results suggest that KLF4 is a promising candidate molecular target for both prevention and therapy of NSCLC with c‐Met overexpression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Feng
- Departments of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Third Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Qianyi Xie
- Departments of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Third Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Suo Liu
- Departments of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Third Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Ying Ji
- Departments of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Third Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Chunyun Li
- Departments of Pediatrics, Third Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Chunle Wang
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Longyu Jin
- Departments of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Third Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China
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21
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Panatta E, Lena AM, Mancini M, Affinati M, Smirnov A, Annicchiarico-Petruzzelli M, Piro MC, Campione E, Bianchi L, Mazzanti C, Melino G, Candi E. Kruppel-like factor 4 regulates keratinocyte senescence. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2018; 499:389-395. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2018.03.172] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2018] [Accepted: 03/22/2018] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
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22
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Characterization of female germline stem cells from adult mouse ovaries and the role of rapamycin on them. Cytotechnology 2018; 70:843-854. [PMID: 29372468 DOI: 10.1007/s10616-018-0196-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2017] [Accepted: 01/17/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Germline stem cells (GSCs) play an indispensable role in establishing the fertility of an organism. The isolation and culture of adult female GSCs (FGSCs) have provided a robust foundation to study the development of female germ cells in rodents. However, many problems still need to be identified, such as the origin and location of FGSCs and the specific markers for screening. In this study, we acquired FGSCs that stably expressed Oct4 from Oct4 promoter-GFP transgenic mouse ovarian surface epithelium and cortical layer, and identified the cells possessing the representative features including the expression of GSCs marker genes and the potentiality of differentiation into all three germ layers in vitro. Moreover, rapamycin was confirmed to promote proliferation of mouse FGSCs and inhibit the differentiation capability in vivo. In addition to the reported disinfection function, rapamycin inhibited the activation of primordial follicles, as the inhibitor of mechanistic target of rapamycin pathway. These results will contribute to the study on folliculogenesis or oogenesis mechanism and have important implications on developing new technology and therapeutic approach in medicine for premature ovarian failure, infertility and even ovary remodelling in future.
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23
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Zhu L, Su F, Xu Y, Zou Q. Network-based method for mining novel HPV infection related genes using random walk with restart algorithm. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Basis Dis 2017; 1864:2376-2383. [PMID: 29197659 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbadis.2017.11.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2017] [Revised: 11/03/2017] [Accepted: 11/26/2017] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
The human papillomavirus (HPV), a common virus that infects the reproductive tract, may lead to malignant changes within the infection area in certain cases and is directly associated with such cancers as cervical cancer, anal cancer, and vaginal cancer. Identification of novel HPV infection related genes can lead to a better understanding of the specific signal pathways and cellular processes related to HPV infection, providing information for the development of more efficient therapies. In this study, several novel HPV infection related genes were predicted by a computation method based on the known genes involved in HPV infection from HPVbase. This method applied the algorithm of random walk with restart (RWR) to a protein-protein interaction (PPI) network. The candidate genes were further filtered by the permutation and association tests. These steps eliminated genes occupying special positions in the PPI network and selected key genes with strong associations to known HPV infection related genes based on the interaction confidence and functional similarity obtained from published databases, such as STRING, gene ontology (GO) terms and KEGG pathways. Our study identified 104 novel HPV infection related genes, a number of which were confirmed to relate to the infection processes and complications of HPV infection, as reported in the literature. These results demonstrate the reliability of our method in identifying HPV infection related genes. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Accelerating Precision Medicine through Genetic and Genomic Big Data Analysis edited by Yudong Cai & Tao Huang.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liucun Zhu
- School of Life Sciences, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China.
| | - Fangchu Su
- School of Life Sciences, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China.
| | - YaoChen Xu
- Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China.
| | - Quan Zou
- School of Computer Science and Technology, TianJin University, Tianjin 300350, China.
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Chen YS, Wang R, Dashwood WM, Löhr CV, Williams DE, Ho E, Mertens-Talcott S, Dashwood RH. A miRNA signature for an environmental heterocyclic amine defined by a multi-organ carcinogenicity bioassay in the rat. Arch Toxicol 2017; 91:3415-3425. [PMID: 28289824 PMCID: PMC5836314 DOI: 10.1007/s00204-017-1945-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2016] [Accepted: 02/23/2017] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Heterocyclic amines (HCAs) produced during high-temperature cooking have been studied extensively in terms of their genotoxic/genetic effects, but recent work has implicated epigenetic mechanisms involving non-coding RNAs. Colon tumors induced in the rat by 2-amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo[4,5-b]pyridine (PhIP) have altered microRNA (miRNA) signatures linked to dysregulated pluripotency factors, such as c-Myc and Krüppel-like factor 4 (KLF4). We tested the hypothesis that dysregulated miRNAs from PhIP-induced colon tumors would provide a "PhIP signature" for use in other target organs obtained from a 1-year carcinogenicity bioassay in the rat. Downstream targets that were corroborated in the rat were then investigated in human cancer datasets. The results confirmed that multiple let-7 family members were downregulated in PhIP-induced skin, colon, lung, small intestine, and Zymbal's gland tumors, and were associated with c-myc and Hmga2 upregulation. PhIP signature miRNAs with the profile mir-21high/mir-126low/mir-29clow/mir-215low/mir-145low were linked to reduced Klf4 levels in rat tumors, and in human pan-cancer and colorectal cancer. It remains to be determined whether this PhIP signature has predictive value, given that more than 20 different genotoxic HCAs are present in the human diet, plus other agents that likely induce or repress many of the same miRNAs. Future studies should define more precisely the miRNA signatures of other HCAs, and their possible value for human risk assessment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying-Shiuan Chen
- Center for Epigenetics and Disease Prevention, Texas A&M University College of Medicine, 2121 W Holcombe Blvd., Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Rong Wang
- Linus Pauling Institute, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, USA
| | - Wan-Mohaiza Dashwood
- Center for Epigenetics and Disease Prevention, Texas A&M University College of Medicine, 2121 W Holcombe Blvd., Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Christiane V Löhr
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, USA
| | - David E Williams
- Linus Pauling Institute, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, USA
- Department of Environmental and Molecular Toxicology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, USA
| | - Emily Ho
- Linus Pauling Institute, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, USA
- College of Public Health and Human Sciences, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, USA
| | - Susanne Mertens-Talcott
- Department of Clinical Cancer Prevention, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Roderick H Dashwood
- Center for Epigenetics and Disease Prevention, Texas A&M University College of Medicine, 2121 W Holcombe Blvd., Houston, TX, 77030, USA.
- Department of Clinical Cancer Prevention, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA.
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Medicine, Texas A&M College of Medicine, College Station, TX, USA.
- Department of Nutrition and Food Science, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA.
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25
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Ghaleb AM, Yang VW. Krüppel-like factor 4 (KLF4): What we currently know. Gene 2017; 611:27-37. [PMID: 28237823 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2017.02.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 329] [Impact Index Per Article: 47.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2016] [Revised: 02/17/2017] [Accepted: 02/21/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Krüppel-like factor 4 (KLF4) is an evolutionarily conserved zinc finger-containing transcription factor that regulates diverse cellular processes such as cell growth, proliferation, and differentiation. Since its discovery in 1996, KLF4 has been gaining a lot of attention, particularly after it was shown in 2006 as one of four factors involved in the induction of pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). Here we review the current knowledge about the different functions and roles of KLF4 in various tissue and organ systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amr M Ghaleb
- Department of Medicine, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11794, USA
| | - Vincent W Yang
- Department of Medicine, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11794, USA; Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11794, USA.
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26
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KLF4 is regulated by RAS/RAF/MEK/ERK signaling through E2F1 and promotes melanoma cell growth. Oncogene 2017; 36:3322-3333. [PMID: 28068326 PMCID: PMC5474568 DOI: 10.1038/onc.2016.481] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2016] [Revised: 10/14/2016] [Accepted: 11/17/2016] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Melanoma is the most lethal form of skin cancer and treatment of metastatic melanoma remains challenging. BRAF/MEK inhibitors show only temporary benefit due the occurrence of resistance and immunotherapy is effective only in a subset of patients. To improve patient survival, there is a need to better understand molecular mechanisms that drive melanoma growth and operate downstream of the mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling. The Krüppel-like factor 4 (KLF4) is a zinc-finger transcription factor that plays a critical role in embryonic development, stemness and cancer, where it can act either as oncogene or tumor suppressor. KLF4 is highly expressed in post-mitotic epidermal cells, but its role in melanoma remains unknown. Here, we address the function of KLF4 in melanoma and its interaction with the MAPK signaling pathway. We find that KLF4 is highly expressed in a subset of human melanomas. Ectopic expression of KLF4 enhances melanoma cell growth by decreasing apoptosis. Conversely, knock-down of KLF4 reduces melanoma cell proliferation and induces cell death. In addition, depletion of KLF4 reduces melanoma xenograft growth in vivo. We find that the RAS/RAF/MEK/ERK signaling positively modulates KLF4 expression through the transcription factor E2F1, which directly binds to KLF4 promoter. Overall, our data demonstrate the pro-tumorigenic role of KLF4 in melanoma and uncover a novel ERK1/2-E2F1-KLF4 axis. These findings identify KLF4 as a possible new molecular target for designing novel therapeutic treatments to control melanoma growth.
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27
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Hsieh PN, Sweet DR, Fan L, Jain MK. Aging and the Krüppel-like factors. TRENDS IN CELL & MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2017; 12:1-15. [PMID: 29416266 PMCID: PMC5798252] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
The mammalian Krüppel-like factors (KLFs) are a family of zinc-finger containing transcription factors with diverse patterns of expression and a wide array of cellular functions. While their roles in mammalian physiology are well known, there is a growing appreciation for their roles in modulating the fundamental progression of aging. Here we review the current knowledge of Krüppel-like factors with a focus on their roles in processes regulating aging and age-associated diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paishiun N. Hsieh
- Case Cardiovascular Research Institute, Case Western Reserve University, and Harrington Heart and Vascular Institute, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, Cleveland, OH, USA
- Department of Pathology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - David R. Sweet
- Case Cardiovascular Research Institute, Case Western Reserve University, and Harrington Heart and Vascular Institute, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, Cleveland, OH, USA
- Department of Pathology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Liyan Fan
- Case Cardiovascular Research Institute, Case Western Reserve University, and Harrington Heart and Vascular Institute, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, Cleveland, OH, USA
- Department of Pathology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Mukesh K. Jain
- Case Cardiovascular Research Institute, Case Western Reserve University, and Harrington Heart and Vascular Institute, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, Cleveland, OH, USA
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28
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Hashimoto I, Nagata T, Sekine S, Moriyama M, Shibuya K, Hojo S, Matsui K, Yoshioka I, Okumura T, Hori T, Shimada Y, Tsukada K. Prognostic significance of KLF4 expression in gastric cancer. Oncol Lett 2016; 13:819-826. [PMID: 28356964 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2016.5499] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2015] [Accepted: 11/07/2016] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
To understand the roles of pluripotent stem cell-inducing genes in gastric cancer, the expression of Krüppel-like factor 4 (KLF4), Nanog, octamer-binding transcription factor 4 (Oct4), avian myelocytomatosis viral oncogene homolog (c-Myc) and sex-determining region Y-box 2 (SOX2) was examined using the newly developed gastric carcinoma tissue microarray. The associations between the immunohistochemical expression levels of the pluripotency-inducing factors and the clinicopathological data of 108 patients with gastric cancer were analyzed. No associations were identified between the expression levels of the five pluripotency-inducing factors and the tumor-node-metastasis (TNM) classification or clinicopathological characteristics of the patients. In addition, multivariate analysis revealed no association of Nanog, Oct4, SOX2 or c-Myc with the prognosis of the gastric cancer patients; however, low expression of KLF4 was determined to be an independent negative prognostic factor (P=0.0331), particularly in patients who underwent R0 resection (TNM stages 2 and 3; P=0.0048). In summary, low KLF4 expression was found to be negatively associated with overall survival, and may therefore be a useful prognostic marker in gastric cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isaya Hashimoto
- Department of Surgery and Science, Graduate School of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Sciences for Research, University of Toyama, Toyama 930-0194, Japan
| | - Takuya Nagata
- Department of Surgery and Science, Graduate School of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Sciences for Research, University of Toyama, Toyama 930-0194, Japan
| | - Shinichi Sekine
- Department of Surgery and Science, Graduate School of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Sciences for Research, University of Toyama, Toyama 930-0194, Japan
| | - Makoto Moriyama
- Department of Surgery and Science, Graduate School of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Sciences for Research, University of Toyama, Toyama 930-0194, Japan
| | - Kazuto Shibuya
- Department of Surgery and Science, Graduate School of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Sciences for Research, University of Toyama, Toyama 930-0194, Japan
| | - Shozo Hojo
- Department of Surgery and Science, Graduate School of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Sciences for Research, University of Toyama, Toyama 930-0194, Japan
| | - Koshi Matsui
- Department of Surgery and Science, Graduate School of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Sciences for Research, University of Toyama, Toyama 930-0194, Japan
| | - Isaku Yoshioka
- Department of Surgery and Science, Graduate School of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Sciences for Research, University of Toyama, Toyama 930-0194, Japan
| | - Tomoyuki Okumura
- Department of Surgery and Science, Graduate School of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Sciences for Research, University of Toyama, Toyama 930-0194, Japan
| | - Takashi Hori
- Department of Pathology, Graduate School of Research into Medicine and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Toyama, Toyama 930-0194, Japan
| | - Yutaka Shimada
- Department of Nanobio Drug Discovery, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kyoto University, Kyoto 606-8304, Japan
| | - Kazuhiro Tsukada
- Department of Surgery and Science, Graduate School of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Sciences for Research, University of Toyama, Toyama 930-0194, Japan
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29
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KLF4 transcriptionally activates non-canonical WNT5A to control epithelial stratification. Sci Rep 2016; 6:26130. [PMID: 27184424 PMCID: PMC4869036 DOI: 10.1038/srep26130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2016] [Accepted: 04/27/2016] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Epithelial differentiation and stratification are essential for normal homeostasis, and disruption of these processes leads to both injury and cancer. The zinc-finger transciption factor KLF4 is a key driver of epithelial differentiation, yet the mechanisms and targets by which KLF4 controls differentiation are not well understood. Here, we define WNT5A, a non-canonical Wnt ligand implicated in epithelial differentiation, repair, and cancer, as a direct transcriptional target that is activated by KLF4 in squamous epithelial cells. Further, we demonstrate functionally that WNT5A mediates KLF4 control of epithelial differentiation and stratification, as treatment of keratinocytes with WNT5A rescues defective epithelial stratification resulting from KLF4 loss. Finally, we show that the small GTPase CDC42 is regulated by KLF4 in a WNT5A dependent manner. As such, we delineate a novel pathway for epithelial differentiation and stratification and define potential therapeutic targets for epithelial diseases.
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30
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The role of barrier genes in epidermal malignancy. Oncogene 2016; 35:5705-5712. [PMID: 27041586 DOI: 10.1038/onc.2016.84] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2015] [Revised: 02/17/2016] [Accepted: 02/18/2016] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
The outermost layer of the mammalian skin, the epidermis, forms a protective barrier against pathogenic microbes and tissue dehydration. This barrier is formed and maintained by complex genetic networks that connect cellular differentiation processes, enzymatic activities and cellular junctions. Disruption in these networks affects the balance between keratinocyte proliferation and differentiation resulting in barrier function impairment, epidermal hyperproliferation and in some cases, squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). Recent studies in wound-induced inflammation-mediated cancers in mice have identified dysregulation of core barrier components as tumor drivers. We therefore propose a hypothesis in which loss of key barrier genes, induce barrier dysfunction, and promote inflammation-driven epidermal hyperplasia and carcinogenesis over time. This emerging vision suggests that under specific genetic circumstances, localized barrier impairment could be considered as a hallmark of initiating lesions in epidermal SCC.
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31
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Wei D, Wang L, Yan Y, Jia Z, Gagea M, Li Z, Zuo X, Kong X, Huang S, Xie K. KLF4 Is Essential for Induction of Cellular Identity Change and Acinar-to-Ductal Reprogramming during Early Pancreatic Carcinogenesis. Cancer Cell 2016; 29:324-338. [PMID: 26977883 PMCID: PMC4794756 DOI: 10.1016/j.ccell.2016.02.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 117] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2015] [Revised: 11/12/2015] [Accepted: 02/08/2016] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Understanding the molecular mechanisms of tumor initiation has significant impact on early cancer detection and intervention. To define the role of KLF4 in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDA) initiation, we used molecular biological analyses and mouse models of klf4 gain- and loss-of-function and mutant Kras. KLF4 is upregulated in and required for acinar-to-ductal metaplasia. Klf4 ablation drastically attenuates the formation of pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasia induced by mutant Kras(G12D), whereas upregulation of KLF4 does the opposite. Mutant KRAS and cellular injuries induce KLF4 expression, and ectopic expression of KLF4 in acinar cells reduces acinar lineage- and induces ductal lineage-related marker expression. These results demonstrate that KLF4 induces ductal identity in PanIN initiation and may be a potential target for prevention of PDA initiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daoyan Wei
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcombe Boulevard, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Liang Wang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcombe Boulevard, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Yongmin Yan
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcombe Boulevard, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Zhiliang Jia
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcombe Boulevard, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Mihai Gagea
- Department of Veterinary Medicine & Surgery, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcombe Boulevard, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Zhiwei Li
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcombe Boulevard, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Xiangsheng Zuo
- Department of Gastrointestinal Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcombe Boulevard, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Xiangyu Kong
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcombe Boulevard, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Suyun Huang
- Department of Neurosurgery, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcombe Boulevard, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Keping Xie
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcombe Boulevard, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition, Unit 1644, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcombe Boulevard, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
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32
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Sevilla LM, Latorre V, Carceller E, Boix J, Vodák D, Mills IG, Pérez P. Glucocorticoid receptor and Klf4 co-regulate anti-inflammatory genes in keratinocytes. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2015; 412:281-9. [PMID: 26001834 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2015.05.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2015] [Revised: 05/14/2015] [Accepted: 05/14/2015] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
The glucocorticoid (GC) receptor (GR) and Kruppel-like factor Klf4 are transcription factors that play major roles in skin homeostasis. However, whether these transcription factors cooperate in binding genomic regulatory regions in epidermal keratinocytes was not known. Here, we show that in dexamethasone-treated keratinocytes GR and Klf4 are recruited to genomic regions containing adjacent GR and KLF binding motifs to control transcription of the anti-inflammatory genes Tsc22d3 and Zfp36. GR- and Klf4 loss of function experiments showed total GR but partial Klf4 requirement for full gene induction in response to dexamethasone. In wild type keratinocytes induced to differentiate, GR and Klf4 protein expression increased concomitant with Tsc22d3 and Zfp36 up-regulation. In contrast, GR-deficient cells failed to differentiate or fully induce Klf4, Tsc22d3 and Zfp36 correlating with increased expression of the epithelium-specific Trp63, a known transcriptional repressor of Klf4. The identified transcriptional cooperation between GR and Klf4 may determine cell-type specific regulation and have implications for developing therapies for skin diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa M Sevilla
- Instituto de Biomedicina de Valencia-Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (IBV-CSIC), Jaime Roig 11, E-46010 Valencia, Spain
| | - Víctor Latorre
- Instituto de Biomedicina de Valencia-Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (IBV-CSIC), Jaime Roig 11, E-46010 Valencia, Spain; Faculty of Human and Medical Sciences, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Elena Carceller
- Instituto de Biomedicina de Valencia-Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (IBV-CSIC), Jaime Roig 11, E-46010 Valencia, Spain
| | - Julia Boix
- Instituto de Biomedicina de Valencia-Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (IBV-CSIC), Jaime Roig 11, E-46010 Valencia, Spain
| | - Daniel Vodák
- Bioinformatics Core Facility, Institute for Cancer Genetics and Informatics, The Norwegian Radium Hospital, Oslo University Hospital, Norway
| | - Ian Geoffrey Mills
- Prostate Cancer Research Group, Centre for Molecular Medicine (Norway), University of Oslo and Oslo University Hospitals, Oslo, Norway; Department of Molecular Oncology, Oslo University Hospitals, Oslo, Norway; Department of Urology, Oslo University Hospitals, Oslo, Norway; FASTMAN Movember Centre of Excellence, CCRCB, Queens University, Belfast, UK
| | - Paloma Pérez
- Instituto de Biomedicina de Valencia-Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (IBV-CSIC), Jaime Roig 11, E-46010 Valencia, Spain.
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33
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Mao L, Zhang Y, Deng X, Mo W, Yu Y, Lu H. Transcription factor KLF4 regulates microRNA-544 that targets YWHAZ in cervical cancer. Am J Cancer Res 2015; 5:1939-1953. [PMID: 26269755 PMCID: PMC4529615] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2015] [Accepted: 03/20/2015] [Indexed: 06/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The deregulation of microRNAs has been demonstrated in various tumor processes. Here, we report that microRNA-544 (miR-544) is decreased in cervical cancer tissues compared with normal cervical tissues. To identify the mechanisms involved in miR-544 deregulation, we studied the regulation of miR-544 expression at the transcriptional level. We first identified the transcriptional start site of miR-544 by 5' rapid amplification of cDNA ends and subsequently determined the miR-544 promoter. We discovered that the transcription factor Krueppel-like factor 4 (KLF4) is involved in the transcriptional regulation of miR-544 through interaction with the miR-544 promoter. In addition, we found that miR-544 directly targets the YWHAZ oncogene and functions as a tumor suppressor in cervical cancer cells. miR-544 is involved in cell cycle regulation and suppresses cervical cancer cell proliferation, colony formation, migration and invasion in a manner associated with YWHAZ downregulation. In summary, our findings demonstrate that KLF4 upregulates miR-544 transcription by activating the miR-544 promoter and that miR-544 functions as a tumor suppressor by targeting YWHAZ. Therefore, miR-544 may be a potential novel therapeutic target and prognostic marker for cervical cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Langyong Mao
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Fudan UniversityShanghai, China
| | - Yan Zhang
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Changhai HospitalShanghai, China
| | - Xiaolong Deng
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Fudan UniversityShanghai, China
| | - Wenjuan Mo
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Fudan UniversityShanghai, China
| | - Yao Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Fudan UniversityShanghai, China
- Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Industrial MicroorganismsShanghai, China
| | - Hong Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Fudan UniversityShanghai, China
- Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Industrial MicroorganismsShanghai, China
- Shanghai Collaborative Innovation Center for Biomanufacturing TechnologyShanghai, China
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34
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Amberg N, Holcmann M, Glitzner E, Novoszel P, Stulnig G, Sibilia M. Mouse models of nonmelanoma skin cancer. Methods Mol Biol 2015; 1267:217-50. [PMID: 25636471 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4939-2297-0_10] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
The skin is the largest organ of the mammalian body, made up of multiple layers, which include the epidermis, dermis, and subcutis (Alam and Ratner, N Engl J Med 344(13):975-983, 2001). The human interfollicular epidermis can be subdivided into five different layers: (1) stratum basale, (2) stratum spinosum, (3) stratum granulosum, (4) stratum lucidum, and (5) stratum corneum, all originating from basal keratinocytes by differentiation (Hameetman et al., BMC cancer 13:58, 2013; Ramirez et al., Differentiation 58(1):53-64, 1994). The epidermis is also able to generate different appendages: hair follicles (HF) and their associated sebaceous glands (Sibilia et al., Cell 102(2):211-220, 2000) as well as sweat glands (Luetteke et al., Genes Dev 8(4):399-413, 1994). The skin has important functions in several biological processes like environmental barrier, tissue regeneration, hair cycling, and wound repair. During these processes, stem cells from the interfollicular epidermis and from the hair follicle bulge are activated to renew the epidermis or hair. The epidermis and hair undergo continuous homeostatic regeneration and mutations, upon mutations which disturb the balance of homeostatic regeneration of epidermis and hair and lead to enhanced proliferation of keratinocytes, development of skin cancer is developed. Tumors that arise in the skin are mainly of three types: malignant melanoma, arising from melanocytes, basal cell carcinoma (BCC), and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), the latter two both arising from keratinocytes or hair follicle cells. In this chapter, we will describe some genetically engineered mouse models (GEMM) that aim at modeling human BCC and SCC and their respective precancerous lesions. We will describe the experimental approaches used in our laboratory to analyze tumor-bearing mice focusing on methods necessary for the induction of tumor growth as well as for the molecular and histological analysis of tumor tissue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole Amberg
- Department of Medicine I, Institute of Cancer Research, Comprehensive Cancer Center, Medical University of Vienna, Borschkegasse 8a, A-1090, Vienna, Austria
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35
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MiR-7 promotes epithelial cell transformation by targeting the tumor suppressor KLF4. PLoS One 2014; 9:e103987. [PMID: 25181544 PMCID: PMC4151986 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0103987] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2013] [Accepted: 07/06/2014] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are endogenous small non-coding RNAs that have a pivotal role in the post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression and their misregulation is common in different types of cancer. Although it has been shown that miR-7 plays an oncogenic role in different cellular contexts, the molecular mechanisms by which miR-7 promotes cell transformation are not well understood. Here we show that the transcription factor KLF4 is a direct target of miR-7 and present experimental evidence indicating that the regulation of KLF4 by miR-7 has functional implications in epithelial cell transformation. Stable overexpression of miR-7 into lung and skin epithelial cells enhanced cell proliferation, cell migration and tumor formation. Alteration of these cellular functions by miR-7 resulted from misregulation of KLF4 target genes involved in cell cycle control. miR-7-induced tumors showed decreased p21 and increased Cyclin D levels. Taken together, these findings indicate that miR-7 acts as an oncomiR in epithelial cells in part by directly regulating KLF4 expression. Thus, we conclude that miR-7 acts as an oncomiR in the epithelial cellular context, where through the negative regulation of KLF4-dependent signaling pathways, miR-7 promotes cellular transformation and tumor growth.
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36
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High cytoplasmic expression of Krüppel-like factor 4 is an independent prognostic factor of better survival in hepatocellular carcinoma. Int J Mol Sci 2014; 15:9894-906. [PMID: 24897024 PMCID: PMC4100128 DOI: 10.3390/ijms15069894] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2014] [Revised: 05/26/2014] [Accepted: 05/26/2014] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the second leading cause of cancer-related mortality in the world. Hepatocarcinogenesis is complex, with an extraordinary molecular heterogeneity. Krüppel-like factor 4 (KLF4) plays an important role in cell proliferation and differentiation, and it can function as a tumor suppressor or an oncoprotein, depending on tissue type. The role of KLF4 in HCC remains controversial. The aim of this study was to explore the clinical significance of KLF4 expression in HCC. The study included 205 patients with surgical resection. We performed immunostaining for KLF4 and Ki-67 to investigate the correlations of the clinicopathological parameters of HCC and to examine the proliferative index. KLF4 staining was observed in the cytoplasm of non-tumorous hepatocytes and tumor cells. We subdivided the immunohistological staining results for KLF4 into low expression (Staining 0 and 1+) and high expression (Staining 2+ and 3+) subgroups. The expression of KLF4 was significantly correlated with tumor differentiation (p = 0.001). The Ki-67 proliferative index was significantly lower in well-differentiated HCCs (0.781% ± 1.02% vs. 2.16% ± 3.14%, p = 0.012), but not significantly different between low-KLF4 expression and high-KLF4 expression (1.87% ± 2.93% vs. 2.51% ± 3.28%, p = 0.32). Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that a high expression of KLF4 was significantly correlated with a longer disease-specific survival (p = 0.019). Univariate and multivariate analyses showed that high KLF4 expression was an independent predictor of a better disease-specific survival (p = 0.017; hazard ratio = 0.398; 95% confidence interval: 0.19-0.85). High cytoplasmic expression of KLF4 was associated with better disease-specific survival and was an independently favorable prognostic factor in hepatocellular carcinoma. These promising results suggest that KLF4 may play an anti-oncogenic role in hepatocarcinogenesis.
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Abstract
Krüppel-like factors (KLFs) are a family of DNA-binding transcriptional regulators with diverse and essential functions in a multitude of cellular processes, including proliferation, differentiation, migration, inflammation and pluripotency. In this Review, we discuss the roles and regulation of the 17 known KLFs in various cancer-relevant processes. Importantly, the functions of KLFs are context dependent, with some KLFs having different roles in normal cells and cancer, during cancer development and progression and in different cancer types. We also identify key questions for the field that are likely to lead to important new translational research and discoveries in cancer biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie-Pier Tetreault
- Department of Medicine, Gastroenterology Division, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, 913 Biomedical Research Building II/III, 421 Curie Boulevard, Philadelphia PA 19104-6144, USA
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Ray A, Alalem M, Ray BK. Loss of epigenetic Kruppel-like factor 4 histone deacetylase (KLF-4-HDAC)-mediated transcriptional suppression is crucial in increasing vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression in breast cancer. J Biol Chem 2013; 288:27232-27242. [PMID: 23926105 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m113.481184] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is recognized as an important angiogenic factor that promotes angiogenesis in a series of pathological conditions, including cancer, inflammation, and ischemic disorders. We have recently shown that the inflammatory transcription factor SAF-1 is, at least in part, responsible for the marked increase of VEGF levels in breast cancer. Here, we show that SAF-1-mediated induction of VEGF is repressed by KLF-4 transcription factor. KLF-4 is abundantly present in normal breast epithelial cells, but its level is considerably reduced in breast cancer cells and clinical cancer tissues. In the human VEGF promoter, SAF-1- and KLF-4-binding elements are overlapping, whereas SAF-1 induces and KLF-4 suppresses VEGF expression. Ectopic overexpression of KLF-4 and RNAi-mediated inhibition of endogenous KLF-4 supported the role of KLF-4 as a transcriptional repressor of VEGF and an inhibitor of angiogenesis in breast cancer cells. We show that KLF-4 recruits histone deacetylases (HDACs) -2 and -3 at the VEGF promoter. Chronological ChIP assays demonstrated the occupancy of KLF-4, HDAC2, and HDAC3 in the VEGF promoter in normal MCF-10A cells but not in MDA-MB-231 cancer cells. Co-transfection of KLF-4 and HDAC expression plasmids in breast cancer cells results in synergistic repression of VEGF expression and inhibition of angiogenic potential of these carcinoma cells. Together these results identify a new mechanism of VEGF up-regulation in cancer that involves concomitant loss of KLF-4-HDAC-mediated transcriptional repression and active recruitment of SAF-1-mediated transcriptional activation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alpana Ray
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri 65211.
| | - Mohamed Alalem
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri 65211
| | - Bimal K Ray
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri 65211.
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Song E, Ma X, Li H, Zhang P, Ni D, Chen W, Gao Y, Fan Y, Pang H, Shi T, Ding Q, Wang B, Zhang Y, Zhang X. Attenuation of krüppel-like factor 4 facilitates carcinogenesis by inducing g1/s phase arrest in clear cell renal cell carcinoma. PLoS One 2013; 8:e67758. [PMID: 23861801 PMCID: PMC3702498 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0067758] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2013] [Accepted: 05/21/2013] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Krüppel-like factor 4 (KLF4) is a transcription factor with diverse functions in various cancer types; however, the function of KLF4 in clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) carcinogenesis remains unknown. In this study, we initially examined KLF4 expression by using a cohort of surgically removed ccRCC specimens and cell lines. Results indicated that the transcription and translation of KLF4 were lower in ccRCC tissues than in patient-matched normal tissues. Furthermore, the KLF4 expression was significantly downregulated in the five ccRCC cell lines at protein and mRNA levels compared with that in normal renal proximal tubular epithelial cell lines (HKC). KLF4 downregulation was significantly correlated with tumor stage and tumor diameter. Promoter hypermethylation may contribute to its low expression. In addition, in vitro studies indicated that the KLF4 overexpression significantly inhibited proliferation in human ccRCC cell lines 786-O and ACHN. Moreover, the KLF4 overexpression arrested the cell cycle progress at the G1/S phase transition by upregulating p21WAF1/CIP1 expression and downregulating cyclin D1 expression, KLF4 knockdown in HKC cells did the opposite. In vivo studies confirmed the anti-proliferative effect of KLF4. Our results suggested that KLF4 had an important function in suppressing the growth of ccRCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erlin Song
- Department of Urology/State Key Laboratory of Kidney Diseases, Chinese PLA General Hospital/Medical School of Chinese PLA, Beijing, China
- Department of Urology, Chinese PLA 211 Hospital, Harbin, China
| | - Xin Ma
- Department of Urology/State Key Laboratory of Kidney Diseases, Chinese PLA General Hospital/Medical School of Chinese PLA, Beijing, China
| | - Hongzhao Li
- Department of Urology/State Key Laboratory of Kidney Diseases, Chinese PLA General Hospital/Medical School of Chinese PLA, Beijing, China
| | - Peng Zhang
- Department of Urology/State Key Laboratory of Kidney Diseases, Chinese PLA General Hospital/Medical School of Chinese PLA, Beijing, China
| | - Dong Ni
- Department of Urology/State Key Laboratory of Kidney Diseases, Chinese PLA General Hospital/Medical School of Chinese PLA, Beijing, China
| | - Weihao Chen
- Department of Urology/State Key Laboratory of Kidney Diseases, Chinese PLA General Hospital/Medical School of Chinese PLA, Beijing, China
| | - Yu Gao
- Department of Urology/State Key Laboratory of Kidney Diseases, Chinese PLA General Hospital/Medical School of Chinese PLA, Beijing, China
| | - Yang Fan
- Department of Urology/State Key Laboratory of Kidney Diseases, Chinese PLA General Hospital/Medical School of Chinese PLA, Beijing, China
| | - Haigang Pang
- Department of Urology/State Key Laboratory of Kidney Diseases, Chinese PLA General Hospital/Medical School of Chinese PLA, Beijing, China
| | - Taoping Shi
- Department of Urology/State Key Laboratory of Kidney Diseases, Chinese PLA General Hospital/Medical School of Chinese PLA, Beijing, China
| | - Qiang Ding
- Department of Urology/State Key Laboratory of Kidney Diseases, Chinese PLA General Hospital/Medical School of Chinese PLA, Beijing, China
| | - Baojun Wang
- Department of Urology/State Key Laboratory of Kidney Diseases, Chinese PLA General Hospital/Medical School of Chinese PLA, Beijing, China
| | - Yu Zhang
- Department of Urology/State Key Laboratory of Kidney Diseases, Chinese PLA General Hospital/Medical School of Chinese PLA, Beijing, China
| | - Xu Zhang
- Department of Urology/State Key Laboratory of Kidney Diseases, Chinese PLA General Hospital/Medical School of Chinese PLA, Beijing, China
- * E-mail:
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Cangkrama M, Ting SB, Darido C. Stem cells behind the barrier. Int J Mol Sci 2013; 14:13670-86. [PMID: 23812084 PMCID: PMC3742210 DOI: 10.3390/ijms140713670] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2013] [Accepted: 06/25/2013] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Epidermal stem cells sustain the adult skin for a lifetime through self-renewal and the production of committed progenitors. These stem cells generate progeny that will undergo terminal differentiation leading to the development of a protective epidermal barrier. Whereas the molecular mechanisms that govern epidermal barrier repair and renewal have been extensively studied, pathways controlling stem cell differentiation remain poorly understood. Asymmetric cell divisions, small non-coding RNAs (microRNAs), chromatin remodeling complexes, and multiple differentiation factors tightly control the balance of stem and progenitor cell proliferation and differentiation, and disruption of this balance leads to skin diseases. In this review, we summarize and discuss current advances in our understanding of the mechanisms regulating epidermal stem and progenitor cell differentiation, and explore new relationships for maintenance of skin barrier function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Cangkrama
- Epidermal Development Laboratory, Department of Medicine, Central Clinical School, Alfred Hospital and Monash University, Prahran VIC 3004, Australia; E-Mail:
| | - Stephen B. Ting
- Stem Cell Research Group, Australian Centre for Blood Diseases, Central Clinical School, Alfred Hospital and Monash University, Prahran VIC 3004, Australia; E-Mail:
| | - Charbel Darido
- Epidermal Development Laboratory, Department of Medicine, Central Clinical School, Alfred Hospital and Monash University, Prahran VIC 3004, Australia; E-Mail:
- Author to whom correspondence should be addressed; E-Mail: ; Tel.: +61-3-9903-0619
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Liu Z, Yang H, Luo W, Jiang Q, Mai C, Chen Y, Zhen Y, Yu X, Long X, Fang W. Loss of cytoplasmic KLF4 expression is correlated with the progression and poor prognosis of nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Histopathology 2013; 63:362-70. [PMID: 23758499 DOI: 10.1111/his.12176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2013] [Accepted: 04/25/2013] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
AIMS To examine, in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC), the correlation of Krüppel-like factor 4 (KLF4) expression with clinicopathological features including patient prognosis. METHODS AND RESULTS Using real-time PCR and immunohistochemistry, expression of KLF4 mRNA and protein was examined in NPC and nasopharyngeal tissues. The relationship of KLF4 expression levels with clinical features and prognosis of NPC patients was analysed. mRNA expression was markedly lower in NPC than in the nasopharyngeal tissues. Using immunohistochemistry, staining for KLF4 protein was found in the nuclei and cytoplasm of nasopharyngeal and malignant epithelial cells, but decreased cytoplasmic expression was observed in atypical hyperplasia and NPC samples compared to normal and squamous epithelium samples (P < 0.001). In addition, levels of cytoplasmic KLF4 protein were correlated inversely with the nodal (N) status (TNM classification; P = 0.002) and overall clinical stage (P < 0.001) of NPC patients. Patients with NPC showing lower cytoplasmic KLF4 expression had a significantly shorter overall survival time than those with high NPC KLF4 expression. Multivariate analysis suggested that the level of KLF4 expression was an independent prognostic indicator (P = 0.008) for NPC survival. CONCLUSION Low levels of cytoplasmic KLF4 expression are a potentially unfavourable prognostic factor for patients with NPC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhen Liu
- Department of Pathology, Basic School of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China; Cancer Research Institute, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
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Li J, Zheng H, Wang J, Yu F, Morris RJ, Wang TC, Huang S, Ai W. Expression of Kruppel-like factor KLF4 in mouse hair follicle stem cells contributes to cutaneous wound healing. PLoS One 2012; 7:e39663. [PMID: 22745808 PMCID: PMC3379995 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0039663] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2011] [Accepted: 05/29/2012] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Kruppel-like factor KLF4 is a transcription factor critical for the establishment of the barrier function of the skin. Its function in stem cell biology has been recently recognized. Previous studies have revealed that hair follicle stem cells contribute to cutaneous wound healing. However, expression of KLF4 in hair follicle stem cells and the importance of such expression in cutaneous wound healing have not been investigated. Methodology/Principal Findings Quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis showed higher KLF4 expression in hair follicle stem cell-enriched mouse skin keratinocytes than that in control keratinocytes. We generated KLF4 promoter-driven enhanced green fluorescence protein (KLF4/EGFP) transgenic mice and tamoxifen-inducible KLF4 knockout mice by crossing KLF4 promoter-driven Cre recombinase fused with tamoxifen-inducible estrogen receptor (KLF4/CreER™) transgenic mice with KLF4(flox) mice. KLF4/EGFP cells purified from dorsal skin keratinocytes of KLF4/EGFP transgenic mice were co-localized with 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine (BrdU)-label retaining cells by flow cytometric analysis and immunohistochemistry. Lineage tracing was performed in the context of cutaneous wound healing, using KLF4/CreER™ and Rosa26RLacZ double transgenic mice, to examine the involvement of KLF4 in wound healing. We found that KLF4 expressing cells were likely derived from bulge stem cells. In addition, KLF4 expressing multipotent cells migrated to the wound and contributed to the wound healing. After knocking out KLF4 by tamoxifen induction of KLF4/CreER™ and KLF4(flox) double transgenic mice, we found that the population of bulge stem cell-enriched population was decreased, which was accompanied by significantly delayed cutaneous wound healing. Consistently, KLF4 knockdown by KLF4-specific small hairpin RNA in human A431 epidermoid carcinoma cells decreased the stem cell population and was accompanied by compromised cell migration. Conclusions/Significance KLF4 expression in mouse hair bulge stem cells plays an important role in cutaneous wound healing. These findings may enable future development of KLF4-based therapeutic strategies aimed at accelerating cutaneous wound closure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan Li
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, University of South Carolina School of Medicine, Columbia, South Carolina, United States of America
- Centre for Stem Cell Research and Application, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Hai Zheng
- Department of General Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Junfeng Wang
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, University of South Carolina School of Medicine, Columbia, South Carolina, United States of America
- Centre for Stem Cell Research and Application, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Fang Yu
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, University of South Carolina School of Medicine, Columbia, South Carolina, United States of America
| | - Rebecca J. Morris
- Laboratory of Stem Cells and Cancer, The Hormel Institute, University of Minnesota, Austin, Minnesota, United States of America
| | - Timothy C. Wang
- Division of Digestive and Liver Diseases, Department of Medicine and Irving Cancer Center, Columbia University, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - Shiang Huang
- Centre for Stem Cell Research and Application, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- * E-mail: (WA); (SH)
| | - Walden Ai
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, University of South Carolina School of Medicine, Columbia, South Carolina, United States of America
- * E-mail: (WA); (SH)
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Yu T, Chen X, Zhang W, Li J, Xu R, Wang TC, Ai W, Liu C. Krüppel-like factor 4 regulates intestinal epithelial cell morphology and polarity. PLoS One 2012; 7:e32492. [PMID: 22384261 PMCID: PMC3286469 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0032492] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2011] [Accepted: 01/27/2012] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Krüppel-like factor 4 (KLF4) is a zinc finger transcription factor that plays a vital role in regulating cell lineage differentiation during development and maintaining epithelial homeostasis in the intestine. In normal intestine, KLF4 is predominantly expressed in the differentiated epithelial cells. It has been identified as a tumor suppressor in colorectal cancer. KLF4 knockout mice demonstrated a decrease in number of goblet cells in the colon, and conditional ablation of KLF4 from the intestinal epithelium led to altered epithelial homeostasis. However, the role of KLF4 in differentiated intestinal cells and colon cancer cells, as well as the mechanism by which it regulates homeostasis and represses tumorigenesis in the intestine is not well understood. In our study, KLF4 was partially depleted in the differentiated intestinal epithelial cells by a tamoxifen-inducible Cre recombinase. We found a significant increase in the number of goblet cells in the KLF4-deleted small intestine, suggesting that KLF4 is not only required for goblet cell differentiation, but also required for maintaining goblet cell numbers through its function in inhibiting cell proliferation. The number and position of Paneth cells also changed. This is consistent with the KLF4 knockout study using villin-Cre [1]. Through immunohistochemistry (IHC) staining and statistical analysis, we found that a stem cell and/or tuft cell marker, DCAMKL1, and a proliferation marker, Ki67, are affected by KLF4 depletion, while an enteroendocrine cell marker, neurotensin (NT), was not affected. In addition, we found KLF4 depletion altered the morphology and polarity of the intestinal epithelial cells. Using a three-dimensional (3D) intestinal epithelial cyst formation assay, we found that KLF4 is essential for cell polarity and crypt-cyst formation in human colon cancer cells. These findings suggest that, as a tumor suppressor in colorectal cancer, KLF4 affects intestinal epithelial cell morphology by regulating proliferation, differentiation and polarity of the cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tianxin Yu
- Markey Cancer Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, United States of America
- Department of Biological and Molecular Biochemistry, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Xi Chen
- Markey Cancer Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, United States of America
| | - Wen Zhang
- Markey Cancer Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, United States of America
| | - Juan Li
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, University of South Carolina School of Medicine, Columbia, South Carolina, United States of America
| | - Ren Xu
- Markey Cancer Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, United States of America
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, United States of America
| | - Timothy C. Wang
- Division of Digestive and Liver Diseases, Department of Medicine and Irving Cancer Center, Columbia University, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - Walden Ai
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, University of South Carolina School of Medicine, Columbia, South Carolina, United States of America
| | - Chunming Liu
- Markey Cancer Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, United States of America
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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