Macrophage migration inhibitory factor as a target molecule in multiple sclerosis.
Various therapeutic approaches to multiple sclerosis (MS) have been presented, but no specific and effective method has so far been established. In recent years, macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) has been re-evaluated as a pluripotent cytokine involved in a broad spectrum of inflammation and immune responses. During the course of MIF study, increased levels of MIF were observed in the cerebrospinal fluids of patients with MS in parallel with exacerbation of clinical symptoms, and a number of lymphocytes strongly expressing MIF infiltrate into the pathogenic lesions. It is expected that regulation of the action of MIF by an anti-MIF antibody or small molecule inhibitors would be an effective therapeutic method for this demyelinating disease.
Nishihira
J
J
Central Research Institute, Hokkaido University Graduate School of Medicine, Sapporo, Japan. j_nishi@med.hokudai.ac.jp
Ogata
A
A
D000818:Animals; D002490:Central Nervous System / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D016207:Cytokines / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D008263:Macrophage Migration-Inhibitory Factors / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000096:biosynthesis; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology
D016207:Cytokines; D008263:Macrophage Migration-Inhibitory Factors