Circulating macrophage migration inhibitory factor levels and its polymorphisms in systemic lupus erythematosus: A meta-analysis

Abstract

The present study aimed to systemically review the evidence regarding the relationship between circulating macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) levels and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), as well as the associations between several polymorphisms in the MIF gene and SLE susceptibility. We performed a meta-analysis of serum/plasma levels of MIF in SLE patients and controls and evaluated evidence of associations between the MIF -173 C/G allele and -794CATT5-8 polymorphisms and the associated risk for SLE. Nine studies were included in this meta-analysis. Meta-analysis indicated that MIF levels were significantly higher in the SLE group than in the control group (SMD = 1.154, 95% CI = 0.369-1.938, P = 0.004). Stratification by ethnicity showed significantly higher MIF levels in the SLE group representing Asian populations (SMD = 1.911, 95% CI = 0.871-2.951, P < 0.001). MIF levels were significantly higher in the SLE group than in the control group in the age-and/or sex matched population, but not in the unmatched population (SMD = 1.236, 95% CI = 0.579-1.893, P < 0.001; SMD = 1.118, 95% CI = -0.027-2.263, P = 0.056). However, results of the meta-analysis showed no association between SLE and the MIF -173 C allele, the -794CATT7 allele, and the -794CATT7-MIF-173C haplotype with high heterogeneity. Our meta-analysis demonstrated significantly higher circulating MIF levels in patients with SLE, but no evidence of associations between MIF -173 C/G and -794CATT5-8 polymorphisms and SLE susceptibility.

Levels of the macrophage migration inhibitory factor and polymorphisms in systemic lupus erythematosus: a meta-analysis

“…Bae et al . have reported similar results on ethnicity, age, and sex for matched population, which did not also vary from our findings [ 35 ]. Mizue et al .…”

“…In this meta-analysis, the plasma/serum MIF levels were significantly higher in patients of SLE than in healthy controls. Bae et al have reported similar results on ethnicity, age, and sex for matched population, which did not also vary from our findings [35]. Mizue et al revealed a comparable outcome that MIF levels were significantly higher with SLE patients, as compared to the control group [29].…”

“…Our results seem to be more accurate, because of larger sample size used than in other studies as well as considering only one disease (SLE) as compared to many autoimmune diseases [ 40 ]. Our finding was also not in line with Bae et al ., where the results revealed no correlation between SLE and MIF-173 C/G and MIF-794 CATT polymorphisms [ 35 ]. These variations may be attributed to the number of studies and sample size employed in each research.…”

Epigenetic and Genetic Mechanisms Underlying Cardiovascular Diseases and Neurodevelopmental Disorders

“…Our findings are similar to other meta-analyses of MIF, where the C allele was found to be more common within CAD patients (42) and those with chronic kidney diseases (43). However, in systemic lupus erythematosus, while serum MIF levels were associated with the disease, a meta-analysis found no association between the -173G/C polymorphism and the disease (44).…”

From Systemic Inflammation to Neuroinflammation: The Case of Neurolupus

“…Even more, as specific inhibitors of MIF attenuate the clinical course of SLE, therapeutic antagonism of MIF may be investigated as an opportunity for targeted therapy [ 167 ]. All these data, as well as the fact that MIF is also involved in autophagy [ 166 ], emphasize the important role played by MIF in the effector pathways of immune-mediated inflammatory damage both in SLE patients and murine lupus models [ 146 , 166 , 168 , 169 , 170 ]. They also point to its potential therapeutic use for treating NPSLE.…”