Novel Role for Macrophage Migration Inhibitory Factor in the Regulation of Inflammation

Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) has been reported to be involved in inflammatory responses and wound healing. My findings indicated a significant correlation between MIF release and lytic but not apoptotic forms of cell death in THP-1 monocytes. In addition, a variable role for MIF in TLR4 induced type I interferon and TNF-α production was demonstrated in both macrophages and dendritic cells. In addition, a possible role for MIF tautomerase function was suggested. My findings for the first time shed new light on the novel role of MIF as a potential DAMP molecule.