Drug Development and Kruppel-like Factors

Recent advances in our understanding of the disease biology of KLFs have spurred considerable interest in their potential to serve as therapeutic targets. Results obtained with small molecules and nucleic acids (e.g., siRNA) targeting KLFs in vitro and in vivo strongly support the feasibility of therapeutic modulation of KLFs for the treatment of cancer as well as cardiovascular and metabolic diseases. Nonetheless, a better understanding of the precise mode of action of KLF in its transcription network, particularly its interaction with other transcription factors and cofactors and its posttranslational modification, would further facilitate development of KLF therapeutics. Moreover, development of improved drug delivery systems would increase the number of diseases that could be targeted by siRNA against KLFs. KLFs have also been used to induce pluripotency in induced pluripotent stern (iPS) cells, suggesting that pharmacological modulation of KLFs may be a useful approach to tailoring iPS cells and their derivatives.