Mesenchymal cell type-specific roles of KLF4 in lung fibrosis [bulk RNA-seq]

Purpose: The goal of this study is to investigate mesenchymal cell-type specific role of KLF4 in the context of lung fibrosis. Methods: Adult Pdgfrb-CreERT2, ROSA26R(Zs/+) mice were induced with tamoxifen (1mg/day for 5 days), rested for 5 days. The lungs were harvested and prepared to obtain single cell suspension. Live Zs+ cells were isolated by FACS, cultured, and subjected to Klf4 siRNA or Scr RNA treatment. Total RNA was purified after 72 hrs. and subjected to bulk RNA-seq. using Illumina HiSeq 2000. Similarly, wild type mice airway smooth muscle cells (cell biologics) were treated with Klf4 siRNA or Scr RNA. Total RNA was purified after 72 hrs. and subjected to bulk RNA-seq. Results: Expression profile of the transcriptome are compared between cell-types; PDGFR-β+ cells and airway smooth muscle cells. Conclusions: Significant difference in the expression of genes involved in pathogenesis of fibrosis was observed Scr RNA or siKlf4 treated tracheal SMCs and Lung PDGFR-β+ cells