Macrophage migration inhibitory factor expression correlates with inflammatory changes in human chronic hepatitis B infection.
BACKGROUND
Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) has emerged to be a pivotal cytokine in immune-mediated diseases.


METHODS
To investigate the role of MIF in chronic hepatitis B infection, we studied two groups of hepatitis B surface antigen positive patients: group 1 (immune tolerant, n = 16) and group 2 (immune clearance, n = 16). Serum level of MIF was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and intrahepatic expression of MIF, macrophage and T-cell localisation were detected by double immunohistochemistry.


RESULTS
An increased serum MIF correlated significantly with increased serum alanine aminotransferase activity (r = 0.73, P < 0.001) and the severity of necroinflammatory injury (r = 0.642, P < 0.001). In group 2, there was marked MIF mRNA expression in all KP-1+ macrophages and CD45RO+ activated T cells and, to a lesser extent, in hepatocytes within inflammatory areas. In contrast to its mRNA expression, the cytoplasmic MIF protein level in hepatocytes, infiltrating macrophages and T cells within the inflammatory area was reduced, which probably contributed to the increased serum MIF level.


CONCLUSIONS
Our data suggested that MIF played a role in sustaining cell-mediated hepatic injury during the immune-clearance phase of chronic hepatitis B infection.
Zhang
Hai-Ying
HY
Department of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, SAR, China.
Nanji
Amin A
AA
Luk
John M
JM
Huang
Xiao-Ru
XR
Lo
Chung-Mau
CM
Chen
Yong Xiong
YX
Yuen
Siu-Tsan
ST
Lan
Hui Y
HY
Lau
George K K
GK
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D015870:Gene Expression / Q000276:immunology; D006513:Hepatitis B e Antigens / Q000235:genetics; D019694:Hepatitis B, Chronic / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D007108:Immune Tolerance; D008099:Liver / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology; D008263:Macrophage Migration-Inhibitory Factors / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics*; D008264:Macrophages / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009336:Necrosis; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology
D006513:Hepatitis B e Antigens; D008263:Macrophage Migration-Inhibitory Factors; D012333:RNA, Messenger