The levels of macrophage migration inhibitory factor as an indicator of disease activity and severity in adult-onset Still's disease.
OBJECTIVE
This study investigated the levels of macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) in adult-onset Still's disease (AOSD) and explored the role of this pro-inflammatory cytokine in the systemic inflammation of AOSD.


METHODS
Serum MIF levels were measured by ELISA in patients with AOSD and controls. Intracellular MIF production by peripheral blood leukocytes was detected by three-color flow cytometry.


RESULTS
Serum MIF levels were significantly increased in patients with AOSD. Serum MIF levels were significantly higher in AOSD patients with sore throat, myalgias, splenomegaly, or pleuritis, and were closely correlated with clinical disease severity and activity. Examined by flow cytometry, the intracellular MIF levels in monocytes and T-lymphocytes from AOSD patients were significantly higher than those from healthy subjects.


CONCLUSIONS
These data represent the first demonstration of increased MIF expression in AOSD, and suggest that MIF may be an important marker for disease evaluation and monitoring.
Zou
Yu-Qiong
YQ
Department of Rheumatology, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, 145 Middle Shan Dong Road, Shanghai 200001, China.
Lu
Liang-Jing
LJ
Li
Shu-Jie
SJ
Zeng
Ting
T
Wang
Xiao-Dong
XD
Bao
Chun-De
CD
Chen
Shun-Le
SL
Yang
Cheng-De
CD
D000328:Adult; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008263:Macrophage Migration-Inhibitory Factors / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000097:blood* / Q000235:genetics; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016706:Still's Disease, Adult-Onset / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D015854:Up-Regulation / Q000502:physiology
D015415:Biomarkers; D008263:Macrophage Migration-Inhibitory Factors