Function of KLF4 in Stem Cell Biology

The document from August 28, 2013, reviews the role of Krüppel-like factor 4 (KLF4) in stem cell biology, emphasizing its critical functions in cell proliferation, differentiation, apoptosis, and tissue homeostasis. KLF4 is a transcription factor that can act as a tumor suppressor or oncogene and is involved in reprogramming somatic cells into induced pluripotent stem cells (iPS cells) in combination with other factors. The review highlights KLF4's essential role in embryonic stem cell maintenance, its expression in mouse skin hair follicle stem cells for wound healing, and its importance in maintaining breast cancer stem cells. It also discusses the potential clinical applications of iPS cells and the therapeutic implications of KLF4 in cancer stem cell biology. The document provides evidence of KLF4's necessity for breast cancer stem cell maintenance, affecting cell migration, invasion, and self-renewal, and its role in skin homeostasis and wound healing. It also touches on the signaling pathways regulating KLF4, including Notch, Wnt, and Hedgehog pathways. The research suggests that KLF4 is a significant player in both cancer biology and stem cell maintenance, offering potential therapeutic targets for breast cancer treatment and promoting wound healing. The work was supported by NIH grants.