KLF4 Activates NFκB Signaling and Esophageal Epithelial Inflammation Via the Rho-related GTP-binding Protein RHOF

Overview

Journal PLoS One

Specialties General Medicine
Science

Date 2019 Apr 19

PMID 30998758

Citations 12

Authors

Khvaramze Shaverdashvili

Jennie Padlo

Daniel Weinblatt

Yang Jia

Wenpeng Jiang

Divya Rao

Dorottya Laczko

Kelly A Whelan

John P Lynch

Amanda B Muir

Jonathan P Katz

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Understanding the regulatory mechanisms within esophageal epithelia is essential to gain insight into the pathogenesis of esophageal diseases, which are among the leading causes of morbidity and mortality throughout the world. The zinc-finger transcription factor Krüppel-like factor (KLF4) is implicated in a large number of cellular processes, such as proliferation, differentiation, and inflammation in esophageal epithelia. In murine esophageal epithelia, Klf4 overexpression causes chronic inflammation which is mediated by activation of NFκB signaling downstream of KLF4, and this esophageal inflammation produces epithelial hyperplasia and subsequent esophageal squamous cell cancer. Yet, while NFκB activation clearly promotes esophageal inflammation, the mechanisms by which NFκB signaling is activated in esophageal diseases are not well understood. Here, we demonstrate that the Rho-related GTP-binding protein RHOF is activated by KLF4 in esophageal keratinocytes, leading to the induction of NFκB signaling. Moreover, RHOF is required for NFκB activation by KLF4 in esophageal keratinocytes and is also important for esophageal keratinocyte proliferation and migration. Finally, we find that RHOF is upregulated in eosinophilic esophagitis, an important esophageal inflammatory disease in humans. Thus, RHOF activation of NFκB in esophageal keratinocytes provides a potentially important and clinically-relevant mechanism for esophageal inflammation and inflammation-mediated esophageal squamous cell cancer.

Citing Articles

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RHOF activation of AKT/β-catenin signaling pathway drives acute myeloid leukemia progression and chemotherapy resistance.

Wen X, Li P, Ma Y, Wang D, Jia R, Xia Y iScience. 2024; 27(7):110221.

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KLF4 Induces Colorectal Cancer by Promoting EMT via STAT3 Activation.

Yuan L, Meng Y, Xiang J Dig Dis Sci. 2024; 69(8):2841-2855.

PMID: 38816600 DOI: 10.1007/s10620-024-08473-y.

KLF4 transcription factor in tumorigenesis.

He Z, He J, Xie K Cell Death Discov. 2023; 9(1):118.

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The Kruppel-like factor 4-signal transducer and activator of transcription 5A axis promotes pancreatic fibrosis in mice with caerulein-induced chronic pancreatitis.

Wang X, Yu L, Chen Y, Xiong X, Ran H Exp Anim. 2023; 72(3):379-388.

PMID: 36948613 PMC: 10435357. DOI: 10.1538/expanim.22-0147.

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