Osteoblasts not only control bone formation but also support osteoclast differentiation. Here we show the involvement of Kruppel-like factor 4 (KLF4) in the differentiation of osteoclasts and osteoblasts. KLF4 was down-regulated by 1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25(OH)2D3) in osteoblasts. Overexpression of KLF4 in osteoblasts attenuated 1,25(OH)2D3-induced osteoclast differentiation in co-culture...

A previous prevention trial showed that selenium supplementation was effective in reducing (by 50%) the incidence of prostate cancer. Selenium has been reported to inhibit the growth of prostate cancer cells in vitro. Multiple mechanisms are likely to be operative in the underlying effect of selenium. Here, we report that Krüppel-like factor 4 (KLF4), a transcription factor of the KLF family, i...

A replenishable source of insulin-producing cells has the potential to cure type 1 diabetes. Attempts to culture and expand pancreatic β-cells in vitro have resulted in their transition from insulin-producing epithelial cells to mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) with high proliferative capacity but devoid of any hormone production. The aim of this study was to determine whether the transcription...

Purpose: Tumor differentiation is a behavioral index for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and a prognostic factor for patients with HCC who undergo orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT). However, the molecular basis for HCC differentiation and prognostic value of the underlying molecules that regulate HCC differentiation are unclear. In this study, we defined a potential driver pathway for HCC d...

Osteosarcoma is the most common primary malignant bone tumor, and the frequent acquisition of chemoresistance is often an obstacle to achieving favorable outcomes during chemotherapy. Recently, Krüppel-like factor 4 (KLF4) has been shown to be associated with chemotherapy resistance in a few tumors; however, the involvement of KLF4 in chemotherapy resistance in osteosarcoma cells remains unknow...

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) caused by renal fibrosis is an important public health concern. It is therefore necessary to understand the molecular pathogenesis of renal fibrosis in order to develop novel therapeutic strategies. KLF4 is the most extensively studied factor among the various members of the Krüppel-like factor (KLF) family of zinc finger-containing transcription factors. Many studi...

Epithelial cells of the small intestine are the site of zinc absorption. Intestinal uptake of zinc is inversely proportional to the dietary supply of this essential micronutrient. The mechanism responsible for this adaptive differential in apical zinc transport is not known. The zinc transporter Zip4 (Slc39a4) is essential for adequate enteric zinc uptake. In mice, Zip4 expression is upregulate...

Klf4 is a transcription factor of the family of Kruppel-like factors and plays important roles in stem cell biology; however, its function during embryogenesis is unknown. Here, we report the characterization of a Klf4 homologue in Xenopus laevis during embryogenesis. Klf4 is transcribed both maternally and zygotically and the transcript is ubiquitous in embryos during germ-layer formation. Klf...

In response to ionizing radiation-induced injury, the normally quiescent intestinal stem cells marked by BMI1 participate in the regenerative response. Previously, we established a protective role for Krüppel-like factor 4 (KLF4) in the intestinal epithelium where it reduces senescence, apoptosis, and crypt atrophy following γ-radiation-induced gut injury. We also described a pro-proliferative ...