Kruppel-like factors in bone biology

The kruppel-like factor (KLF) family is a group of zinc finger transcription factors and contributes to different cellular processes such as differentiation, proliferation, migration, and apoptosis. While different studies show the roles of this family in skeletal development-specifically in chondrocyte and osteocyte development and bone homeostasis-there are few reviews summarizing their importance. To fill this gap, this review discusses current knowledge on different functions of the KLF family during skeletal development, including their roles in stem cell maintenance and differentiation, cell apoptosis, and cell cycle. To understand the importance of the KLF family, we also review genotype-phenotype correlations in different animal models. We also discuss how KLF proteins function through different signaling pathways and display their paramount importance in skeletal development. To highlight their roles in cartilage-or bone-related cells, we also use single-cell RNA sequencing publicly available data on mouse hindlimb. We also challenge our knowledge of how the KLF family is epigenetically regulated-e.g., using DNA methylation, histone modifications, and noncoding RNAs-during chondrocyte and osteocyte development.

Automated summary

This review summarizes the important functions of the KLF family in skeletal development, including their roles in stem cell maintenance and differentiation, cell apoptosis, and cell cycle. It also discusses the genotype-phenotype correlations in animal models and explores how KLF proteins function through different signaling pathways. Additionally, the review highlights the roles of KLF family in cartilage- and bone-related cells and challenges our understanding of its epigenetic regulation during chondrocyte and osteocyte development.