Small interfering RNA targeting Krüppel-like factor 8 inhibits U251 glioblastoma cell growth by inducing apoptosis

Small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) are small non-coding RNAs, comprising 21-23 nucleotides that regulate gene expression by transcriptionally repressing their complementary mRNAs. In particular, Krüppel-like factor 8 (KLF8) has been postulated to function as a tumor activator in various cancer cells, but not in glioblastoma. In the present study, we investigated the anti-tumorigenic effect of KLF8 siRNA in glioblastoma cells. U251 human glioblastoma cells were transfected with KLF8 siRNA and assayed for in vitro proliferation, cell cycle and cell apoptosis. The transfection of KLF8 siRNA reduced expression of KLF8 in the glioblastoma cells. KLF8 siRNA also reduced in vitro proliferation and enhanced cell apoptosis. These results indicate that KLF8 siRNA has an anti-tumorigenic effect on glioblastoma cells and suggest the possible use of KLF8 siRNA for the treatment of glioblastoma.