title: Macrophage migration inhibitory factor and glucocorticoid sensitivity.
abstract: Glucocorticoids (GCs) are widely used in the treatment of inflammatory diseases including rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Treatment with GC is associated with significant dose-dependent side-effects. The pro-inflammatory cytokine macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) has emerged in recent years as a candidate factor which could regulate GC sensitivity. MIF is induced by GC, and is able to override anti-inflammatory actions of GCs. In this review, we summarize the pro-inflammatory actions of MIF with respect to RA, describe the interactions between MIF and GC and examine new evidence, which identifies MIF as a specific target for steroid sparing.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Inflammatory Diseases, Monash Medical Centre, Locked Bag No 29, Clayton Melbourne 3168, Australia.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Aeberli
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Leech
authors.forename: E F
authors.initials: EF
authors.lastname: Morand
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D018836:Inflammation Mediators / Q000502:physiology; D008263:Macrophage Migration-Inhibitory Factors / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D005938:Glucocorticoids; D018836:Inflammation Mediators; D008263:Macrophage Migration-Inhibitory Factors