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Updated: Jan 12, 2026
Induction and Analysis of Epithelial to Mesenchymal Transition
Published on: August 27, 2013
Excessive KLF2 impairs mesenchymal-epithelial transition efficiency and adhesion in endometrial stromal cells via AKT
1Reproductive Medicine Centre, Yantai Yuhuangding Hospital, Qingdao University, Yantai, China; Shandong Provincial Key Medical and Health Laboratory of Reproductive Health and Genetics (Yantai Yuhuangding Hospital), Yantai, China.
Research Question:
What is the dynamic expression profile of Krüppel-like factor 2 (KLF2) during the progression of mesenchymal-epithelial transition (MET), and through which molecular mechanisms does KLF2 regulate transformation?
Design:
This study examined changes in KLF2 expression during the in-vivo menstrual cycle using immunohistochemistry and an in-vitro decidualization cell model. KLF2 negative control (KLF2-NC) and KLF2 overexpression (KLF2-OE) models were constructed in primary and immortalized human endometrial stromal cells via lentiviral transfection. Mesenchymal and epithelial protein changes were detected in the KLF2-NC and KLF2-OE groups on different days of MET using immunofluorescent staining. Potential KLF2 binding sites were predicted through motif enrichment analysis, and the interaction between KLF2 expression and AKT phosphorylation during MET was analysed using co-immunoprecipitation (co-IP) and western blotting. Finally, the effects of excessive KLF2 expression on the expression of adhesion factor and the efficiency of adhesion of BeWo-spheroids were determined.
Results:
The results showed that KLF2 demonstrated significantly higher expression during the proliferative phase compared with the decidual phase in normal human endometrial tissue (P = 0.0095). Furthermore, KLF2 expression showed a progressive decline during MET. KLF2 overexpression decreased epithelial gene expression. Further, co-IP and western blotting demonstrated that KLF2 affects the MET process by regulating AKT phosphorylation, affecting the expression of adhesion factor and the efficiency of adhesion.
Conclusions:
This study found that KLF2 expression changes during the menstrual cycle, and excessive KLF2 is not conducive to AKT phosphorylation during MET in the decidual phase.
Insights
Krüppel-like factor 2 (KLF2) expression changes during the menstrual cycle and mesenchymal-epithelial transition (MET). High KLF2 levels hinder AKT phosphorylation, impacting adhesion during the decidual phase.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Biology
- Cell Biology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- The menstrual cycle involves dynamic changes in the endometrium.
- Mesenchymal-epithelial transition (MET) is crucial for endometrial receptivity.
- Krüppel-like factor 2 (KLF2) role in endometrial dynamics is not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate KLF2 expression dynamics during the menstrual cycle and MET.
- To elucidate the molecular mechanisms by which KLF2 regulates endometrial transformation.
- To assess the impact of KLF2 on endometrial receptivity and adhesion.
Main Methods:
- Immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescent staining for KLF2 and protein analysis.
- Lentiviral transfection to create KLF2 overexpression (KLF2-OE) and control (KLF2-NC) models.
- Co-immunoprecipitation (co-IP) and western blotting to analyze KLF2-AKT interactions.
Main Results:
- KLF2 expression was significantly higher in the proliferative phase than the decidual phase.
- KLF2 expression declined progressively during MET.
- KLF2 overexpression reduced epithelial gene expression and AKT phosphorylation, affecting adhesion.
Conclusions:
- KLF2 expression fluctuates with the menstrual cycle and decreases during MET.
- Excessive KLF2 negatively impacts AKT phosphorylation and endometrial receptivity in the decidual phase.
- KLF2 plays a regulatory role in endometrial transformation and adhesion processes.
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