title: Hemizygous deficiency of Krüppel-like factor 2 augments experimental atherosclerosis.
abstract: Krüppel-like factor (KLF)2 is a central regulator of endothelial and monocyte/macrophage gene expression and function in vitro. Although the composite effects of KLF2 in these 2 cell types predict that it likely inhibits vascular inflammation, the role of KLF2 in this process in vivo is uncharacterized. In this study, we provide evidence that hemizygous deficiency of KLF2 increased diet-induced atherosclerosis in apolipoprotein E-deficient mice. Our studies highlight an important role for KLF2 in primary macrophage foam cell formation via the potential regulation of the key lipid binding protein adipocyte protein 2/fatty acid-binding protein 4. These novel observations establish that KLF2 is an atheroprotective factor.
authors.affiliation: University Hospitals Harrington McLaughlin Heart and Vascular Institute, Cleveland, Ohio, USA.
authors.forename: G Brandon
authors.initials: GB
authors.lastname: Atkins
authors.forename: Yunmei
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Ganapati H
authors.initials: GH
authors.lastname: Mahabeleshwar
authors.forename: Hong
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Shi
authors.forename: Huiyun
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Gao
authors.forename: Daiji
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Kawanami
authors.forename: Viswanath
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Natesan
authors.forename: Zhiyong
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: Daniel I
authors.initials: DI
authors.lastname: Simon
authors.forename: Mukesh K
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Jain