1. Macrophage Migration Inhibitory Factor: A Multifunctional Cytokine in Rheumatic Diseases
- Author
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Tsuyoshi Kasama, Kumiko Ohtsuka, Kazuo Kobayashi, Ryo Takahashi, Kuninobu Wakabayashi, and Michihito Sato
- Subjects
lcsh:Diseases of the musculoskeletal system ,business.industry ,animal diseases ,medicine.medical_treatment ,chemical and pharmacologic phenomena ,Review Article ,respiratory system ,Random migration ,biological factors ,Pathogenesis ,Immune system ,Cytokine ,Rheumatology ,Immunology ,otorhinolaryngologic diseases ,Medicine ,Orthopedics and Sports Medicine ,Macrophage migration inhibitory factor ,lcsh:RC925-935 ,business ,Function (biology) ,Therapeutic strategy - Abstract
Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) was originally identified in the culture medium of activated T lymphocytes as a soluble factor that inhibited the random migration of macrophages. MIF is now recognized to be a multipotent cytokine involved in the regulation of immune and inflammatory responses. Moreover, the pivotal nature of its involvement highlights the importance of MIF to the pathogenesis of various inflammatory disorders and suggests that blocking MIF may be a useful therapeutic strategy for treating these diseases. This paper discusses the function and expressional regulation of MIF in several rheumatic diseases and related conditions.
- Published
- 2010
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