MIF: a key player in cutaneous biology and wound healing

Abstract

Owing to its implication in a range of pathological conditions, including asthma, rheumatoid arthritis, atherosclerosis, inflammatory bowel disease and cancer, the pleiotropic cytokine macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) has been the subject of intensive recent investigation. In the field of dermatology, MIF is believed to be a detrimental factor in diseases such as systemic sclerosis, atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, eczema and UV radiation damage. However, its contribution to other aspects of cutaneous biology is currently unclear. Although its expression in intact skin is well characterized, little is known about MIF's role in cutaneous homoeostasis. However, recent data do identify MIF as a key player in the immune privilege of hair follicles. Similarly, although MIF is rapidly released and its local expression significantly induced upon wounding, its primary role in the ensuing repair process remains a source of contention. MIF has been identified as being a key effector of the beneficial effects of estrogen on wound repair, yet studies employing Mif null mice, recombinant MIF, and neutralizing anti-MIF antibodies have failed to provide a consensus as to whether it benefits or inhibits healing. In fact MIF appears to be able to exert both positive and negative effects, with the cell-specific relevancy of MIF in wound healing still unclear. Thus, if MIF and ⁄ or its downstream targets are to be therapeutically useful in the context of cutaneous repair, more needs to be done to establish the nature and mechanism of action of MIF and its receptors in healing wounds.

Macrophage Migration Inhibitory Factor Triggers Chemotaxis of CD74+CXCR2+ NKT Cells in Chemically Induced IFN-γ–Mediated Skin Inflammation

“…MIF is aberrantly expressed during skin inflammation and was suggested as a therapeutic target for dermatological disorders (9)(10)(11). No reports have shown pathogenic activity of MIF in psoriasis, although MIF has been identified as an aberrant inflammatory biomarker in psoriatic patients (27,28).…”

“…However, it is still unclear which MIF receptors, including CD44, CD74, CXCR2, and CXCR4 (10,13,14), are expressed on CD56 + CD3 + hNKT cells. Therefore, magnetically isolated CD56 + cells were stained individually for CD3 and CD74, CD44, CXCR2, and CXCR4.…”

Human Corneal MicroRNA Expression Profile in Fungal Keratitis

“…Interestingly, macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF), the putative target of miR-451a, has been reported to be involved in apoptosis, inflammation, cell proliferation, and wound healing. 32,33 We hypothesize here that miR-451a has a specific role in wound inflammation and could serve as a potential target for corneal epithelial wound healing.…”

Effects of a topical aqueous oxygen emulsion on collagen deposition and angiogenesis in a porcine deep partial‐thickness wound model

“…The data suggests that TOE improves wound angiogenesis and granulation tissue formation via stimulating VEGF expression and types I and III collagen production. The sequence of the protein expressions is in consistence with that of normal wound repair occurring in a timely fashion (13,14), indicating that TOE accelerates but does not alter the orderly healing process.…”