MIF: mood improving/inhibiting factor?
Although major depressive disorder imposes a serious public health burden and affects nearly one in six individuals in developed countries over their lifetimes, there is still no consensus on its pathophysiology. Inflammation and cytokines have emerged as a promising new avenue in depression research, and, in particular, macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) has been shown to be significant in depression physiology. In this review we summarize current research on MIF and depression. We highlight the arguments for MIF as a pro- and antidepressant species and discuss the potential implications for therapeutics.
Hofstra North Shore-LIJ School of Medicine, Hempstead, NY 11549, USA. jbloom2@nshs.edu.
Joshua
J
Bloom
Yousef
Y
Al-Abed
D000818:Animals; D002490:Central Nervous System / Q000378:metabolism; D003863:Depression / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000378:metabolism / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D008263:Macrophage Migration-Inhibitory Factors / Q000378:metabolism*
D005938:Glucocorticoids; D008263:Macrophage Migration-Inhibitory Factors