Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF): A promising biomarker

Abstract

Macrophage migration inhibitory (MIF) factor is an immunoregulatory cytokine whose effect on arresting random immune cell movement was recognized several decades ago. Despite its historic name, MIF also has a direct chemokine-like function and promotes cell recruitment. Multiple clinical studies have pointed to the utility of MIF as a biomarker for different diseases that have an inflammatory component; these include systemic infections and sepsis, autoimmune diseases, cancer, and metabolic disorders such as type 2 diabetes and obesity. The identification of functional promoter polymorphisms in the MIF gene (MIF) and their association with the susceptibility or severity of different diseases has served not only to validate MIF’s role in disease development but opened the possibility of using MIF genotype information to better predict risk and outcome. In this article, we review the clinical data of MIF and discuss its potential as a biomarker for different disease applications.

Macrophage Migration Inhibitory Factor (MIF) and Thyroid Hormone Alterations in Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic Antibody (ANCA)-Associated Vasculitis (AAV)

“…In the presence of high concentrations of MIF, this is suppressed by inhibiting p-53 dependent apoptosis, giving rise to an extended immune response with TNF-α and IL-1β production, leading to further MIF release (26). In the pathogenesis of AAV, priming of neutrophils by cytokines is a key feature (2), and high levels of MIF could contribute to this (8,11). MIF and GC seems to have reciprocal effects on the immune system and, unlike other cytokines, low doses of GC seem to be able to induce MIF, at least in animal models (18).…”

“…MIF is central to the innate immune response system with an upstream role in the inflammatory cascade, promoting the release of other inflammatory cytokines including TNF-α and IL-1β. Furthermore, MIF has a chemokinelike function and promotes recruitment of leukocytes in general and neutrophils specifically into infectious and inflammatory sites (8,9). Previously, MIF has been demonstrated to play a role in sepsis (10,11), autoimmune disease (12)(13)(14), chronic kidney disease (15), pulmonary hypertension (16) and cardiovascular disease (17).…”

Monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 and macrophage migration inhibitory factor in children with type 1 diabetes

“…It is involved in immunological and inflammatory diseases [9,10] such as chronic diseases including bowel disease [11], obesity [12,13], and diabetes [14]. More recently, MIF was proposed as a diagnostic biomarker for autoimmune diseases such as diabetes [15].…”

Association between macrophage migration inhibitory factor rs1007888 and GDM

“…Several studies have shown that genetic factors play an important role in GDM occurrence (Zhang et al, 2013). Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) is a protein that can function as a cytokine, hormone, or enzyme and exhibits a variety of biological activities, playing an important role in inflammation and immunity (Grieb et al, 2010). Previous studies have shown that MIF is related to the occurrence of obesity and insulin resistance syndromes (Finucane et al, 2012), and MIF gene polymorphisms have been correlated with GDM and metabolic syndromes (Aslani et al, 2011).…”