Role of Kruppel-like factor 4 in atherosclerosis

Clin Chim Acta. 2021 Jan:512:135-141. doi: 10.1016/j.cca.2020.11.002. Epub 2020 Nov 9.

Abstract

Atherosclerosis is one of the chronic progressive diseases, which is caused by vascular injury and promoted by the interaction of various inflammatory factors and inflammatory cells. In recent years, kruppel-like factor 4 (KLF4), a significant transcription factor that participated in cell growth, differentiation and proliferation, has been proved to cause substantial impacts on regulating cardiovascular disease. This paper will give a comprehensive summary to highlight KLF4 as a crucial regulator of foam cell formation, vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) phenotypic transformation, macrophage polarization, endothelial cells inflammation, lymphocyte differentiation and cell proliferation in the process of atherosclerosis. Recent studies show that KLF4 may be an important "molecular switch" in the process of improving vascular injury and inflammation under harmful stimulation, suggesting that KLF4 is a latent disease biomarker for the therapeutic target of atherosclerosis and vascular disease.

Keywords: Atherosclerosis; Inflammation; KLF4; Phenotypic transformation; Proliferation.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Atherosclerosis*
  • Endothelial Cells*
  • Humans
  • Kruppel-Like Factor 4
  • Kruppel-Like Transcription Factors / genetics
  • Myocytes, Smooth Muscle

Substances

  • KLF4 protein, human
  • Kruppel-Like Factor 4
  • Kruppel-Like Transcription Factors