The Kruppel-like factor KLF15 inhibits connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) expression in cardiac fibroblasts

J Mol Cell Cardiol. 2008 Aug;45(2):193-7. doi: 10.1016/j.yjmcc.2008.05.005. Epub 2008 May 20.

Abstract

Cardiac fibrosis is a hallmark feature of pathologic remodeling of the heart in response to hemodynamic or neurohormonal stress. Accumulating evidence implicates connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) as a key mediator of this process. Our group has previously identified Kruppel-Like Factor 15 (KLF15) as an important regulator of cardiac remodeling in response to stress; however, the role of this transcription factor in cardiac fibrosis has not been reported. Here we provide evidence that treatment of neonatal rat ventricular fibroblasts (NRVFs) with the potent pro-fibrotic agent Transforming Growth Factor-beta1 (TGFbeta1) strongly reduces KLF15 expression while inducing the pro-fibrotic factor CTGF. Adenoviral overexpression of KLF15 inhibits basal and TGFbeta1-induced CTGF expression in NRVFs. Furthermore, hearts from KLF15-/- mice subjected to aortic banding exhibited increased CTGF levels and fibrosis. From a mechanistic standpoint, KLF15 inhibits basal and TGFbeta1-mediated induction of the CTGF promoter. Chromatin Immunoprecipitation (ChIP) and electrophoretic mobility shift assays demonstrate that KLF15 inhibits recruitment of the co-activator P/CAF to the CTGF promoter with no significant effect on Smad3-DNA binding. Consistent with this observation, KLF15 mediated repression of the CTGF promoter is rescued by P/CAF overexpression. Our result implicates KLF15 as a novel negative regulator of CTGF expression and cardiac fibrosis.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Animals, Newborn
  • Cell Line
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Connective Tissue Growth Factor
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / deficiency
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / genetics
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / physiology*
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Fibroblasts / metabolism*
  • Fibrosis
  • Gene Expression Regulation / physiology*
  • Immediate-Early Proteins / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Immediate-Early Proteins / biosynthesis
  • Immediate-Early Proteins / genetics
  • Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / biosynthesis
  • Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / genetics
  • Kruppel-Like Transcription Factors
  • Mice
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Myocardium / cytology
  • Myocardium / metabolism*
  • Myocardium / pathology
  • Rats
  • Rats, Sprague-Dawley
  • Transcription Factors / deficiency
  • Transcription Factors / genetics
  • Transcription Factors / physiology*

Substances

  • CCN2 protein, mouse
  • CCN2 protein, rat
  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • Immediate-Early Proteins
  • Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
  • Klf15 protein, mouse
  • Kruppel-Like Transcription Factors
  • Transcription Factors
  • Connective Tissue Growth Factor