title: Functional polymorphisms in the gene encoding macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) are associated with active pulmonary tuberculosis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The role of the cytokine, macrophage migration inhibition factor (MIF) was assessed in tuberculosis. This case-control study investigated whether commonly occurring functional MIF polymorphisms are associated with active tuberculosis as well as with serum levels of MIF, IFN-γ and TNF-α.
  
  
  METHODS
  Two MIF promoter polymorphisms, a functional -794 CATT5-8 microsatellite repeat (rs5844572) and a -173G/C single-nucleotide polymorphism (rs755622), were analysed by PCR and PCR-RFLP, respectively, in 47 patients and 50 healthy subjects. The mRNA level of MIF was performed by real-time PCR (RT-PCR), and MIF, IFN-γ and TNF-α serum levels were determined by ELISA.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A significant increase of MIF mRNA expression and MIF protein level were found in patients compared to healthy controls. Meanwhile, the increase of IFN-γ and TNF-α serum levels were confirmed. According to the profile of genetic model, a significant association was found of genotypes carrying the -794 CATT 7 or 8 and -173 C risk alleles with susceptibility to active tuberculosis and with a significant increase of MIF, IFN-γ and TNF-α.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These data suggested a distinct genetic and immunopathogenic basis for tuberculosis at the MIF locus. Serum MIF, IFN-γ and TNF-α profiles distinguish tuberculosis from the more inflammatory phenotype and may play a role in pathogenesis and as biomarkers of active tuberculosis.
authors.affiliation: a Department of Clinical Laboratory , Wuxi Fifth People's Hospital, Jiangnan University , Wuxi , Jiangsu , PR China ;
authors.forename: Shou-Gang
authors.initials: SG
authors.lastname: Kuai
authors.affiliation: b Department of Respiratory Medicine , Wuxi Fifth People's Hospital, Jiangnan University , Wuxi , Jiangsu , PR China ;
authors.forename: Qin-Fang
authors.initials: QF
authors.lastname: Ou
authors.affiliation: c Department of Clinical Laboratory , Wuxi Eighth People's Hospital , Wuxi , Jiangsu , PR China.
authors.forename: De-Hong
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: You
authors.affiliation: a Department of Clinical Laboratory , Wuxi Fifth People's Hospital, Jiangnan University , Wuxi , Jiangsu , PR China ;
authors.forename: Zhong-Bo
authors.initials: ZB
authors.lastname: Shang
authors.affiliation: a Department of Clinical Laboratory , Wuxi Fifth People's Hospital, Jiangnan University , Wuxi , Jiangsu , PR China ;
authors.forename: Jun
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: a Department of Clinical Laboratory , Wuxi Fifth People's Hospital, Jiangnan University , Wuxi , Jiangsu , PR China ;
authors.forename: Jun
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.affiliation: a Department of Clinical Laboratory , Wuxi Fifth People's Hospital, Jiangnan University , Wuxi , Jiangsu , PR China ;
authors.forename: Xi-Ke
authors.initials: XK
authors.lastname: Zhou
authors.affiliation: a Department of Clinical Laboratory , Wuxi Fifth People's Hospital, Jiangnan University , Wuxi , Jiangsu , PR China ;
authors.forename: Hao
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Pei
authors.affiliation: b Department of Respiratory Medicine , Wuxi Fifth People's Hospital, Jiangnan University , Wuxi , Jiangsu , PR China ;
authors.forename: Li-Hua
authors.initials: LH
authors.lastname: Huang
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002681:China; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000097:blood*; D019746:Intramolecular Oxidoreductases / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics*; D008263:Macrophage Migration-Inhibitory Factors / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics*; D008297:Male; D018895:Microsatellite Repeats; D008875:Middle Aged; D020641:Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide; D014397:Tuberculosis, Pulmonary / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics*; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D008263:Macrophage Migration-Inhibitory Factors; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D007371:Interferon-gamma; D019746:Intramolecular Oxidoreductases; C515598:MIF protein, human
keywords: IFN-γ; MIF; TNF-α; polymorphisms; tuberculosis