Cutting edge: macrophage migration inhibitory factor is necessary for progression of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis.
Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) has been implicated in the pathogenesis of inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. The role of MIF in the progression of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) was explored using MIF-/- mice. Wild-type mice showed a progressive disease course, whereas MIF-/- mice exhibited acute signs but no further progression of clinical disease. MIF-/- mice displayed markedly elevated corticosterone levels and significant decreases in the inflammatory cytokines TNF-alpha, IFN-gamma, IL-2, and IL-6 before, during, and after EAE onset. Taken together, these findings support that MIF is an important mediator of EAE progression through glucocorticoid antagonism and up-regulation of the inflammatory response.
Powell
Nicole D
ND
Department of Molecular Virology, Immunology, and Medical Genetics, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA.
Papenfuss
Tracey L
TL
McClain
Melanie A
MA
Gienapp
Ingrid E
IE
Shawler
Todd M
TM
Satoskar
Abhay R
AR
Whitacre
Caroline C
CC
D000818:Animals; D003348:Cortisone / Q000097:blood; D016207:Cytokines / Q000096:biosynthesis; D018450:Disease Progression; D004681:Encephalomyelitis, Autoimmune, Experimental / Q000097:blood / Q000209:etiology*; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D008263:Macrophage Migration-Inhibitory Factors / Q000502:physiology*; D051379:Mice
D016207:Cytokines; D005938:Glucocorticoids; D008263:Macrophage Migration-Inhibitory Factors; D003348:Cortisone