Krüppel-like Factor 4 Contributes to High Phosphate-induced Phenotypic Switching of Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells into Osteogenic Cells

Background: Elucidation of molecular mechanisms controlling vascular calcification is critical for chronic kidney disease patients.Results: High phosphate induced Klf4 expression in SMCs. Klf4 knockdown attenuated high phosphate-induced SMC phenotypic switching into osteogenic cells.Conclusion: Results suggest that Klf4 contributes to high phosphate-induced conversion of SMCs into osteogenic cells.Significance: Control of Klf4 might be a novel therapeutic target for vascular calcification. Background: Elucidation of molecular mechanisms controlling vascular calcification is critical for chronic kidney disease patients. Results: High phosphate induced Klf4 expression in SMCs. Klf4 knockdown attenuated high phosphate-induced SMC phenotypic switching into osteogenic cells. Conclusion: Results suggest that Klf4 contributes to high phosphate-induced conversion of SMCs into osteogenic cells. Significance: Control of Klf4 might be a novel therapeutic target for vascular calcification.