title: [The functions and clinical studies of macrophage migration inhibitory factor].
abstract: Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) is a pleiotropic immunoregulator which has a unique structure and a chemokine-like function. Since it was dicovered in 1966, the functions of MIF have been indicated, such as non-specific immunity, the inflammatory cell recruitment, and inflammatory reaction. In addition to its eponymic activity, MIF also has a proinflammatory function and promotes the directed migration and recruitment of leukocytes into infectious and inflammatory sites; it also has functions such as anti-glucocorticoids, anti-apoptosis , and promoting the release of other cytokines. As a result, MIF plays an important role in atherosclerosis, autoimmune diseases, cancer, and metabolic diseases. In this review, we will discuss the molecular pathway, function, related diseases and clinical application of MIF.
authors: Ran
authors: R
authors: Zhao
authors: Wei-Juan
authors: WJ
authors: Yao
mesh_terms: D050197:Atherosclerosis; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases; D005938:Glucocorticoids; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation; D019746:Intramolecular Oxidoreductases / Q000378:metabolism*; D008263:Macrophage Migration-Inhibitory Factors / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D005938:Glucocorticoids; D008263:Macrophage Migration-Inhibitory Factors; D019746:Intramolecular Oxidoreductases; C515598:MIF protein, human