Conclusions
KLF4 regulates BMSC's osteogenic differentiation via SOX2/IGF2 pathway.
Methods
We transfected human BMSCs with KLF4 overexpression plasmid and si-KLF4 to study the effects of KLF4. We performed cell proliferation assay, flow cytometry and Alizarin Red staining on BMSCs. Quantitative real-time PCR and western blot was performed to determined mRNA and protein expression of osteogenic differentiation markers, KLF4, SOX2 and IGF2. Bone defect animal model was created and the adenovirus containing KLF4 overexpression or knockdown plasmid was injected. Finally, HE staining was performed on tibia to assess the new bone formation.
Results
Our results showed that KLF4 promotes not only the growth of BMSCs, but also their osteogenic differentiation. Also, it mediated these effects through SOX2/IGF2 signaling pathway. In addition, KLF4 overexpression could increase the bone regeneration in in-vivo model, whereas KLF4 knockdown decreased the bone regeneration. Conclusions: KLF4 regulates BMSC's osteogenic differentiation via SOX2/IGF2 pathway.