Klf4 reduces stemness phenotype, triggers mesenchymal-epithelial transition (MET)-like molecular changes, and prevents tumor progression in nasopharygeal carcinoma.

ABSTRACT: The reprogramming factor Krüppel-like factor 4 (Klf4), one of the Yamanaka's reprogramming factors, plays an essential role in reprogramming somatic cells into induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). Klf4 is dysregulated and displays divergent functions in multiple malignancies, but the biological roles of Klf4 in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) remain unknown. The present study revealed that Klf4 downregulation in a cohort of human NPC biopsies is significantly associated with invasive and metastatic phenotypes of NPC. Our results showed exogenous expression of Klf4 significantly inhibited cell proliferation, decreased stemness, triggered mesenchymal-epithelial transition (MET)-like molecular changes, and suppressed migration and invasion of NPC cells, whereas depletion of endogeneous Klf4

SUBMITTER: Li X 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5706845 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature