ABSTRACT
@# Objective: To investigate the role and mechanism of Krüppel-like factor 4 (KLF4) in regulating epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and migration of bladder cancer cells. Methods: Bladder cancer 5637 and T24 cell lines that stably over-expressing KLF4 (LV-KLF4, experiment group) were constructed, and the negative control group (LV-NC) was also established; the mRNA and protein expressions of KLF4 were verified by qPCR and WB, respectively. Transwell chamber assay was used to detect the migration ability of cells in LV-KLF4 and LV-NC groups. WB was performed to detect the expression levels of EMT-related markers (E-cadherin, N-cadherin, Vimentin) and Wnt signaling pathway-related proteins. Immunofluorescence technique was used to detect the distribution of β-catenin in cells after over-expression of KLF4. Results: The 5637 and T24 cell lines over-expressing KLF4 gene were successfully constructed. Compared with the LV-NC group, the mRNA and protein expressions of KLF4 increased in LV-KLF4 groups (all P<0.01); the expression of E-cadherin increased (P<0.01), while the expressions of N-cadherin, vimentin, and the expression levels of total β -catenin, nuclear β -catenin, MMP 9 and c-Myc decreased (all P<0.01); moreover, the migration ability of cells decreased significantly (P<0.01); the fluorescence expression of β-catenin in cells also decreased significantly in LV-KLF4 group as compared to LV-NC group. Conclusion: Over-expression of KLF4 gene in bladder cancer cells may inhibit EMT process by regulating Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway, and further inhibit the migration of bladder cancer 5637 and T24 cells.