However, compared to the controls, the minor stroke patients exhibited, but moderate to severe stroke patients did not show significantly increased serum levels of KLF4 at 48 h after ischemic stroke onset (minor stroke vs controls: P < 0.001); As compared to minor stroke patients, the serum levels of KLF4 were significantly lower at 48 h after ischemic stroke onset in moderate to severe stroke patients (P < 0.01). Here, KLF4 is linked to ischemic stroke.