title: Krüppel-like factors in endothelial cell biology.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Krüppel-like factors (KLFs) are a family of transcription factors that regulate integral functions of endothelial cells including inflammation, proliferation, growth, apoptosis, cell differentiation and plasticity, and migration. This review will focus on the role of KLFs in physiological activity and their loss in vascular pathology.
  
  
  RESULTS
  New studies have pointed at the role of microRNAs as repressors of KLFs in atherosclerotic areas providing another level of signaling regulation of KLFs.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  KLFs are important regulators of almost all facets of endothelial biology, making them a promising therapeutic target in the treatment of endothelial dysfunction and cardiovascular disease. Further research is needed to fully characterize their functions.
authors.affiliation: Case Cardiovascular Research Institute, Case Western Reserve University, Harrington Heart and Vascular Institute, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, Cleveland, Ohio, USA.
authors.forename: Eugene
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.forename: Lalitha
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Nayak
authors.forename: Mukesh K
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Jain
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001777:Blood Coagulation / Q000235:genetics; D002448:Cell Adhesion / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D002465:Cell Movement / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D042783:Endothelial Cells / Q000378:metabolism*; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D006801:Humans; D051741:Kruppel-Like Transcription Factors / Q000378:metabolism*; D007962:Leukocytes / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D018919:Neovascularization, Physiologic / Q000235:genetics; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000378:metabolism; D011485:Protein Binding; D033081:Shear Strength; D015398:Signal Transduction; D013312:Stress, Physiological / Q000235:genetics; D013927:Thrombosis / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D014664:Vasodilation / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: D051741:Kruppel-Like Transcription Factors; D009569:Nitric Oxide