Mouse KLF11 regulates hepatic lipid metabolism

Missense mutations in human Krüppel-like factor 11 (KLF11) lead to the development of diabetes, as a result of impaired insulin synthesis in the pancreas. However, the role of KLF11 in peripheral tissues is largely unknown. The aim of this study is to evaluate the role of KLF11 in the regulation of hepatic lipid homeostasis using different mouse models.

Adenoviruses expressing KLF11 (Ad-KLF11) or KLF11-specific shRNA (Ad-shKLF11) were injected into db/db diabetic, high-fat diet-induced obese (DIO), or normal C57BL/6J mice. Histological analysis of the fatty liver phenotype and biochemical analysis of hepatic and serum TG levels in these mice were performed. The molecular mechanism by which KLF11 regulates lipid metabolism in primary hepatocytes and mouse livers was explored.

The expression of the transcription factor KLF11 gene is dysregulated in the livers of db/db and DIO mice. Adenovirus-mediated overexpression of KLF11 in the livers of db/db and DIO mice activates the PPARα signaling pathway, subsequently markedly improving the fatty liver phenotype. Conversely, knockdown of KLF11, by adenovirus (Ad-shKLF11) in livers of wild type C57BL/6J and db/m mice, increases hepatic triglyceride (TG) levels, owing to decreased fatty acid oxidation. Finally, the treatment of diabetic mice with Ad-shPPARα abolishes KLF11 stimulatory effects on the expression of genes involved in fatty acid oxidation and inhibitory effects on hepatic TG content. In contrast, PPARα rescue restores the increased hepatic TG levels in Ad-shKLF11-infected db/m mice to normal levels.

KLF11 is an important regulator of hepatic lipid metabolism.