Greven D, Leng L, Bucala R. Autoimmune diseases: MIF as a therapeutic target.
Expert Opin Ther Targets 2010;
14:253-64. [PMID:
20148714 DOI:
10.1517/14728220903551304]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
IMPORTANCE OF THE FIELD
Autoimmune inflammatory diseases occur commonly in developed countries. The treatment of these diseases is usually non-curative and is aimed at suppressing inflammatory end-organ damage. Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) is a multipotent cytokine that has been implicated in the pathogenesis of numerous autoimmune inflammatory disorders. The selective targeting of MIF with either anti-MIF antibody or specific MIF antagonists may offer new therapeutic avenues for these diseases.
AREAS COVERED IN THIS REVIEW
Our aim is to discuss MIF-directed therapies as a novel therapeutic approach. The review covers literature from the past 10 years.
WHAT THE READER WILL GAIN
MIF inhibition has been shown to be efficacious in many experimental and pre-clinical studies of autoimmune inflammatory diseases. The close regulatory relationship between MIF and glucocorticoids makes therapeutic antagonism of MIF a potential steroid-sparing therapy in patients with refractory autoimmune diseases.
TAKE HOME MESSAGE
We expect that MIF antagonism by either small-molecule- or antibody-based approaches will find wide application in the treatment of autoimmune inflammatory diseases. Such therapy also may be informed by the MIF genotype of affected patients.
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