KLF2 inhibits cancer cell migration and invasion by regulating ferroptosis through GPX4 in clear cell renal cell carcinoma

The metastatic dissemination and underlying mechanisms of clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) remain insufficiently understood. In this study, we identified the essential role of KLF2 in suppressing the metastasis of ccRCC. Downregulation of KLF2 detected by immunohistochemistry in primary metastatic ccRCC was remarkably related to poor clinical outcomes. Overexpression of KLF2 in vitro inhibited growth, migration and invasion of RCC cells. Analysis of clinical specimens revealed that there is a close correlation between KLF2 and GPX4 in ccRCC. Mechanistically, KLF2 deficiency is sufficient to inhibit ferroptosis on account of the impairment of transcriptional repression of GPX4 and thus promotes the migration and invasion of RCC cells. Reverting KLF2 expression in vivo decreased pulmonary metastatic lesions and prolonged life span of mice, whereas GPX4 overexpression reversed these properties. Overall, our results established a novel critical pathway that drives human ccRCC invasion and metastasis, which could be a promising target regarding to the therapies of advanced ccRCC in the clinic.