Skip to main content
Springer Nature - PMC COVID-19 Collection logoLink to Springer Nature - PMC COVID-19 Collection
. 2008 Feb 21;57(2):45–50. doi: 10.1007/s00011-007-7110-6

Macrophage-migration inhibitory factor: role in inflammatory diseases and graft rejection

A Javeed 1, Y Zhao 1,, Y Zhao 1
PMCID: PMC7095795  PMID: 18288453

Abstract.

Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) functions as a pleiotropic protein, participating in inflammatory and immune responses. MIF was originally discovered as a lymphokine involved in delayed hypersensitivity and various macrophage functions, including production of proinflammatory cytokines, glucocorticoid-induced immunomodulator, and natural killer cell inhibitory factor (NKIF), regulation of toll-like receptor expression, adherence and phagocytosis of macrophages, as well as induction of metalloproteinase. Therefore MIF is considered as a potential target protein in many pathophysiological states. In this review, considering the protein structure and the acting mechanisms of MIF, we mainly discuss the important role of MIF in pathogenesis of inflammatory diseases and graft rejection.

Keywords: Macrophage migratory inhibitory factor, Macrophages, Transplantation, Inflammation, Graft rejection


Articles from Inflammation Research are provided here courtesy of Nature Publishing Group

RESOURCES