Krüppel-like factor 1 (KLF1) promoted the proliferation, migration and invasion of human lens epithelial cells by enhancing the expression of Zinc Finger and BTB Domain Containing 7A (ZBTB7A) and activating Wnt/β-catenin pathway

ABSTRACT

The epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) of lens epithelial cells enhanced their proliferation and migration and therefore induced the occurrence of posterior capsule opacity (PCO). Some studies revealed that Krüppel-like factor 1 (KLF1) promoted the proliferation and invasion of multiple types of cancer cells. Besides, the expression of KLF1 was elevated in the crystalline lens of cataract patients. However, the effect of KLF1 on the development of PCO remains unclear. In this study, TGF-β2 was used for the stimulation of human lens epithelial cell line to establish EMT (SRA01/04). The KLF1 was overexpressed and knocked down in SRA01/04 cells, the proliferation, migration and invasion of which were detected by clone formation assay, wound healing and transwell assay. In addition, ZBTB7A was overexpressed in KLF1-knocked down SRA01/04 cells, the proliferation and invasion of which were also measured by clone formation assay and transwell assay. KLF1 overexpression promoted the proliferation, migration and invasion of SRA01/04 cells. Moreover, KLF1 also promoted the expression of Vimentin, snail and α-SMA in SRA01/04 cells. KLF1 enhanced the expression of ZBTB7A and β-catenin, resulting in activation of ZBTB7A and Wnt/β-catenin signaling, while overexpression of ZBTB7A abolished the inhibitory effect of knocking down KLF1 on proliferation and invasion of SRA01/04 cells. These results indicated that KLF1 promoted the proliferation, migration and invasion of human lens epithelial cells by activating ZBTB7A and Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway.

GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT

KEYWORDS:

• Posterior capsule opacity
• cataract
• KLF1
• ZBTB7A
• invasion

Highlight

1. Stimulation of TGF-β2 enhanced the expression of KLF1 in human lens epithelial cells.

2. KLF1 knockdown repressed the proliferation and invasion of human lens epithelial cells.

3. KLF1 activated the Wnt/β-catenin pathway in human lens epithelial cells.

4. ZBTB7A reversed the inhibitory effect of KLF1 knockdown on the invasiveness of human lens epithelial cells.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Ethics approval

Ethical approval was obtained from the Ethics Committee of The People’s Hospital of Danyang.

Statement of informed consent

Written informed consent was obtained from a legally authorized representative(s) for anonymized patient information to be published in this article.

Contribution of authors

Guangming Shi and Feng Yang designed the study, supervised the data collection, Guangming Shi analyzed the data, interpreted the data, Feng Yang prepared the manuscript for publication and reviewed the draft of the manuscript. All authors have read and approved the manuscript.