Role of macrophage migration inhibitory factor in ovalbumin-induced airway inflammation in rats

Abstract

Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) is a pro-inflammatory cytokine that reportedly counteracts the anti-inflammatory effect of endogenous glucocorticoids. There have only been a few reports that demonstrate a potential link between MIF and bronchial asthma. In an attempt to further clarify the precise role of MIF in asthma, the present authors examined the effect of anti-MIF antibody (Ab) on airway inflammation and airway hyperresponsiveness in an ovalbumin-immunised rat asthma model.Actively immunised Brown Norway rats received ovalbumin inhalation with or without treatment of anti-MIF Ab. The levels of MIF in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid were significantly elevated after the ovalbumin challenge.An immunohistochemical study revealed positive immunostaining for MIF in bronchial epithelium, even in nonsensitised rats, and the MIF staining in bronchial epithelium was enhanced after the ovalbumin challenge. Anti-MIF Ab significantly decreased the number of total cells, neutrophils and eosinophils in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid of the ovalbumin-challenged rats, and also attenuated the ovalbumin-induced airway hyperresponsiveness to ovalbumin and methacholine. However, anti-MIF Ab did not affect the level of serum ovalbumin-specific IgE, suggesting that anti-MIF Ab did not suppress immunisation itself.The results indicate that macrophage migration inhibitory factor plays a crucial role in airway inflammation and airway hyperresponsiveness in asthma.

Proteomic Identification of Macrophage Migration-inhibitory Factor upon Exposure to TiO2 Particles

“…Evidence that MIF plays a role in asthma development also has been obtained using ovalbumin-challenged allergic asthma models. Mice with an MIF deficiency caused by either genetic alteration or a neutralizing antibody exhibited less pulmonary inflammation, a lower Th2 immune response, and lower airway hyperresponsiveness than did those of genetically matched, wildtype controls (48,49).…”

Macrophage Migration Inhibitory Factor Homologs of Anisakis simplex Suppress Th2 Response in Allergic Airway Inflammation Model via CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ T Cell Recruitment

“…We isolated mammalian macrophage MIF homologs from mammalian intestinal parasites and evaluated their anti-inflammatory effect using an allergic inflammatory airway mouse model. MIF is increased in asthmatic patients and has been identified as a critical factor in the pathogenesis of asthma (23,31,32). Mice lacking MIF failed to develop airway hyperresponsiveness, tissue eosinophilia, and mucus metaplasia.…”

“…The profile of the activities of MIF, both in vivo and in vitro, is reflective of a role for MIF in the pathogenesis of a variety of inflammatory diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, ankylosing spondylitis, and psoriasis (22). MIF performs a crucial function in airway inflammation and airway hyperresponsiveness in asthma (23).…”

Aspectos neuroimunológicos do ecstasy (N-metil-3,4-Metilenodioximetanfetamina-MDMA), na inflamação alérgica pulmonar em camundongos Balb/C.

“…A ativação dos mesmos tem como conseqüência à liberação de eicosanóides, fator de agregação plaquetária (PAF), citocina, óxido nítrico e outros produtos (KOBAYASHI et al, 2006;PALERMO-NETO, 1999). Tais mediadores estão implicados na contração da musculatura lisa, bem como a migração de células para o local da inflamação (WEERSINK et al, 1994;VISSERS et al, 2005).…”