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Role of Immune-Cell−Expressing Kruppel-Like Factor 4 in Cancer Development

Volume 7, Issue 1-2, 2016, pp. 61-75
DOI: 10.1615/ForumImmunDisTher.2016018247
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ABSTRACT

Kruppel-like factor 4 (KLF4), a transcription factor that is expressed in a wide range of tissues in mammals, has been reported to function as either a tumor suppressor or an oncoprotein, depending on different cellular contexts. The underlying mechanisms remain largely unknown. KLF4 was originally cloned in epithelial cells and is now also expressed in stem cells. Expression of KLF4 in both stem and epithelial cells may be one of the reasons for its controversial roles in cancer development. In addition, emerging evidence suggests that cancer development is largely controlled by the host immune system or immunosurveillance, but it is unclear how immune-cell−expressing KLF4 contributes to tumor development. Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) are a heterogeneous population of immature myeloid cells with phenotypic plasticity that have a broad role in tumor development due to their immunosuppressive activities. This review discusses functions of stem-cell−expressing KLF4 and MDSC-expressing KLF4 in cancer development, based on studies in our laboratory.

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