KLF4
KLF4 (Krüppel-like factor 4) is a transcription factor implicated in the regulation of epithelial integrity, endothelial function, immune-cell state, vascular smooth-muscle phenotype, and cellular responses to oxidative stress and ferroptosis.
KLF4 (Krüppel-like factor 4) is a transcription factor implicated in the regulation of epithelial integrity, endothelial function, immune-cell state, vascular smooth-muscle phenotype, and cellular responses to oxidative stress and ferroptosis. In the studies summarized here, KLF4 functions as a context-dependent regulator: its activity is associated with transcription of tight-junction genes, mitochondrial respiratory-chain programs, and signaling pathways involving β-catenin, SIRT3, and glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4).
KLF4 has been investigated as a target in cancer progression and immunity, aging-related neurovascular dysfunction, cardiovascular disease, diabetic nephropathy, and cellular therapies. The reported work uses approaches including RNA sequencing, CRISPR-Cas methods, chromatin immunoprecipitation, luciferase and RNA immunoprecipitation assays, western blotting, and functional cell assays. Collectively, these studies place KLF4 at the intersection of epithelial barrier regulation, the blood–brain barrier, oxidative stress, ferroptosis, tumor microenvironment signaling, and CAR-T-cell function.
Where the papers sit
9 papers from the last 6 months study KLF4 directly · updated from PubMed 1 Nov 2026
Study type 0 clinical trials · 9 preclinical
Themes one subject
Those 9 are all about one subject.
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KLF4 in Disease Biology
KLF4 is examined across cancer, vascular dysfunction, metabolic disease and tissue injury rather than within one disease program. Recurring themes include control of chromatin and cell-state transitions, ferroptosis through the SIRT3/GPX4 axis, immune evasion and CAR T-cell exhaustion. The findings variously associate KLF4 loss with pathology and KLF4 restoration or enhancement with therapeutic benefit. No single treatment direction or shared clinical endpoint emerges from this disparate set.
Papers
The 9 papers from the last 6 months that study KLF4 directly, newest first, by theme and by study type. Study types come from PubMed publication types and MeSH headings.
By theme
KLF4 in Disease Biology (9)
- Endothelial exosomes remodel chromatin accessibility and superenhancer in cancer cells to promote liver metastatic colonization. Signal transduction and targeted therapy · 18 Oct 2026 PMID 42894010
- A Barrier Betrayed: Hillock in Lung Squamous Cell Carcinoma. Cancer research · 15 Sept 2026 PMID 42740576
- miR-145-5p Targets KLF4 to Regulate the SIRT3/GPX4 Axis, Mediating Ferroptosis and Exacerbating Tubular Epithelial Cell Injury in Diabetic Nephropathy. Nephrology (Carlton, Vic.) · 24 Jul 2026 PMID 42494277
- Krüppel-like factor 4 downregulation during esophageal cancer formation facilitates immune evasion and impairs immunotherapy. Signal transduction and targeted therapy · 23 Jul 2026 PMID 42493491
- Gut commensal Bacteroides-derived pantothenic acid alleviates metabolic syndrome. Cell host & microbe · 1 Jul 2026 PMID 42385714
- Endothelial KLF4 depletion drives age-related neurovascular dysfunction and neuropsychiatric impairment. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America · 18 Jun 2026 PMID 42313933
- Combinatorial drug repurposing of Valproic acid and Zebularine regulates Krüppel-like factor 4 and β-catenin expression in colon cancer cells. PloS one · 1 Jun 2026 PMID 42224286
- KLF4 overexpression in CAR T cells enhances antitumor potency by preventing exhaustion. Journal for immunotherapy of cancer · 20 May 2026 PMID 42161404
- Hypoxia-induced endothelial exosomal MSTRG.12883.2 enhances ox-LDL- induced phenotypic switching of vascular smooth muscle cells. Life sciences · 10 May 2026 PMID 42107690
By study type
Preclinical: animal, cell and lab studies (9)
- Endothelial exosomes remodel chromatin accessibility and superenhancer in cancer cells to promote liver metastatic colonization. Signal transduction and targeted therapy · 18 Oct 2026 PMID 42894010
- A Barrier Betrayed: Hillock in Lung Squamous Cell Carcinoma. Cancer research · 15 Sept 2026 PMID 42740576
- miR-145-5p Targets KLF4 to Regulate the SIRT3/GPX4 Axis, Mediating Ferroptosis and Exacerbating Tubular Epithelial Cell Injury in Diabetic Nephropathy. Nephrology (Carlton, Vic.) · 24 Jul 2026 PMID 42494277
- Krüppel-like factor 4 downregulation during esophageal cancer formation facilitates immune evasion and impairs immunotherapy. Signal transduction and targeted therapy · 23 Jul 2026 PMID 42493491
- Gut commensal Bacteroides-derived pantothenic acid alleviates metabolic syndrome. Cell host & microbe · 1 Jul 2026 PMID 42385714
- Endothelial KLF4 depletion drives age-related neurovascular dysfunction and neuropsychiatric impairment. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America · 18 Jun 2026 PMID 42313933
- Combinatorial drug repurposing of Valproic acid and Zebularine regulates Krüppel-like factor 4 and β-catenin expression in colon cancer cells. PloS one · 1 Jun 2026 PMID 42224286
- KLF4 overexpression in CAR T cells enhances antitumor potency by preventing exhaustion. Journal for immunotherapy of cancer · 20 May 2026 PMID 42161404
- Hypoxia-induced endothelial exosomal MSTRG.12883.2 enhances ox-LDL- induced phenotypic switching of vascular smooth muscle cells. Life sciences · 10 May 2026 PMID 42107690
Written from 9 PubMed abstracts, each one listed by PMID above. Published: 2026-09-10. Last written: 2026-09-17 by GPT. Drafted by language models from published abstracts; not medical advice.