Abstract:
Objective To investigate the expression of the Krüppel-like transcription factor 3 (Krüppel-like factor 3, KLF3) in lung adenocarcinoma (LAC) and its clinical features, which provides the basis for exploring the role of KLF3 in LAC.
Methods The mRNA and protein expression of KLF3 in LAC cell lines was analyzed by using quantitative polymerase chain reaction and Western blot analysis. A total of 72 LAC specimens from patients who were admitted to the Taihe Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, between 2009 and 2011 were selected. Immunohistochemical staining was used for the analysis of KLF3 expression in the specimens, and an analysis of the correlation between KLF3 expression and the clinical features of patients with LAC was conducted.
Results KLF3 was down-regulated in the cancer cells and was decreased in a majority of LAC patients (50/72). Moreover, the KLF3 protein was primarily located in the cytoplasm and nucleus. KLF3 expression was found to be significantly correlated with the clinical pathological period (P < 0.0001), T stage (P = 0.004), N stage (P < 0.0001), and M stage (P < 0.0001) of LAC patients.
Conclusion KLF3 may be an important tumor suppressor gene in LAC and may thereby be a new anti-tumor therapeutic target.