Abstract
Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) has an amazing history of rediscoveries and controversies surroundings its true biological function. It has been classified as a powerful cytokine capable of inducing tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, PGE2 along with its ability to override glucocorticoid activity in relation to TNF-α release from monocytes. However, our recent study has failed to reproduce findings on MIF as a factor with cytokine-inducing properties but it has confirmed that MIF is capable of inducing glucocorticoid-counter regulating activity and amplifying LPS-driven cytokine responses. The aim of this review is to analyse the plethora of data surrounding MIF not just as a cytokine, but also as a hormone-like molecule, enzyme with atypical properties and as a thioredoxin-like protein to address fundamental questions about MIF functionality. © 2008 Australasian Society for Immunology Inc. All rights reserved.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 232-238 |
Number of pages | 6 |
Journal | Immunology and cell biology |
Volume | 86 |
Issue number | 3 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - Mar 2008 |
Keywords
- Cytokine
- MIF
- Oxidoreductase
- Peroxiredoxin
- Tautomerase
- Thioredoxin