Macrophage migration inhibitory factor and innate immune responses to bacterial infections.
OBJECTIVE
To review the role of macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) in host responses to infection and to explore the potential of MIF as a novel target for therapeutic intervention in patients with severe sepsis and septic shock.


METHODS
Published articles on the role of MIF in innate immune responses against microbial pathogens.


METHODS
MIF has emerged recently as an important effector molecule of the innate immune system. MIF is expressed constitutively by monocytes/macrophages, T cells, B cells, endocrine cells, and epithelial cells. Microbial toxins and cytokines are powerful inducers of MIF release by immune cells. MIF expression is up-regulated during the course of inflammatory and infectious diseases and was found to play an important role in the pathogenesis of sepsis and septic shock.


CONCLUSIONS
Given the role of MIF in innate immune responses against microbial pathogens and in the regulation of inflammatory responses, modulation of MIF production or neutralization of its activity may offer new therapeutic options for the management of patients with sepsis.
Froidevaux
C
C
Department of Internal Medicine, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois, Lausanne, Switzerland.
Roger
T
T
Martin
C
C
Glauser
M P
MP
Calandra
T
T
D000818:Animals; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000276:immunology* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000401:mortality / Q000628:therapy; D016207:Cytokines / Q000276:immunology; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004731:Endotoxins / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007111:Immunity, Cellular / Q000276:immunology*; D007113:Immunity, Innate / Q000276:immunology*; D007249:Inflammation; D008263:Macrophage Migration-Inhibitory Factors / Q000276:immunology*; D008264:Macrophages / Q000276:immunology; D009000:Monocytes / Q000276:immunology; D018805:Sepsis / Q000276:immunology* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000401:mortality / Q000628:therapy; D012772:Shock, Septic / Q000276:immunology* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000401:mortality / Q000628:therapy; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000276:immunology; D015854:Up-Regulation / Q000276:immunology
D016207:Cytokines; D004731:Endotoxins; D008263:Macrophage Migration-Inhibitory Factors