MIF is essential to the establishment of house dust mite-induced airway inflammation and tissue remodeling in mice

Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) is present in high amounts in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and serum of asthmatic patients contributing to the pathogenesis of experimental asthma induced by ovalbumin (OVA) in mice. Whether MIF contributes to the physiopathology on a more complex and relevant asthma model has not been characterized. Mif-deficient (Mif^-/- ) or wild-type (WT) mice treated with anti-MIF antibody were challenged multiple times using house dust mite (HDM) extract by intranasal route. HDM-challenged Mif^-/- mice presented decreased airway hyperresponsiveness, lung infiltration of eosinophils, mucus hypersecretion and subepithelial fibrosis compared to HDM-challenged WT mice. Amounts IL-4, IL-5 and IL-13 were decreased in the lungs of Mif^-/- mice upon HDM challenges, but the increase of CCL11 was preserved, compared to HDM-challenged WT mice. We also observed increased numbers of group 2 innate lymphoid cells and Th2 cells in the BALF and mediastinal lymph nodes (mLN) induced challenged by HDM of WT mice, but not in HDM-challenged Mif^-/- mice. Anti-MIF treatment abrogated the airways infiltration of eosinophils, mucus hypersecretion and subepithelial fibrosis in the lungs of HDM-challenged mice. In conclusion, MIF ablation prevents the pathologic hallmarks of asthma in HDM-challenged mice, reinforcing the promising target of MIF for asthma therapy. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Betaine modulates MIF-mediated oxidative stress, inflammation, and fibrogenesis in Thioacetamide-induced Nephrotoxicity

BACKGROUND

Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) is a proinflammatory cytokine with chemokine properties released by various immune and nonimmune cells. It contributes to the pathogenesis of many inflammatory, autoimmune diseases and malignant tumors.

OBJECTIVE

Our study aimed to investigate the role of betaine in the modulation of MIF-mediated oxidative stress, inflammation, and fibrogenesis during toxic kidney damage induced by thioacetamide (TAA).

METHODS

The experiment is performed on wild-type and knockout MIF-/- C57BL/6 mice. They are randomly divided into groups: Control; Bet-group, received betaine (2% wt/v dissolved in drinking water); MIF-/- mice group; MIF-/-+Bet; TAA-group, treated with TAA (200 mg/kg b.w.), intraperitoneally, 3x/week/8 weeks); TAA+Bet; MIF-/-+TAA, and MIF-/-+TAA+Bet group. After eight weeks of treatment, animals are sacrificed and kidney samples are taken to determine oxidative stress parameters, proinflammatory cytokines, profibrogenic factors, and histopathology of renal tissue Results: In MIF-/-mice, TAA decreases malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration, IL-6, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-, transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-1) and plateled-derived growth factor-BB (PDGF-BB) and increases superoxide dismutases (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activities, as well as glutathione (GSH) content in kidneys, compared to TAA group. Betaine alleviates the mechanism of MIF-mediated effects in TAA-induced nephrotoxicity, reducing MDA, IL-6, TNF-, TGF-1, and PDGF-BB, and increasing SOD and CAT activity, as well as GSH levels.

CONCLUSION

MIF mediates TAA-induced nephrotoxicity by increasing oxidative stress, inflammation, and profibrogenic mediators. MIF-targeted therapy could potentially alleviate oxidative stress and inflammation in the kidney, as well as pathohistological changes in renal tissue, but the exact mechanism of its action is not completely clear. Betaine alleviates MIF nephrotoxic effects by increasing the antioxidative capacity of kidney cells, and decreasing lipid peroxidation and cytokine production in the renal tissue. It suggests that betaine can be used for the prevention of kidney damage.

Astragalus Polysaccharide (PG2) Suppresses Macrophage Migration Inhibitory Factor and Aggressiveness of Lung Adenocarcinoma Cells

Astragalus membranaceus is the most popular traditional Chinese medicine for managing vital energy deficiency. Its injectable polysaccharide PG2 has been used for relieving cancer-related fatigue, and PG2 has immune-modulatory and anti-inflammatory effects. In this study, we explored the effects of PG2 in lung adenocarcinoma A549 and CL1-2 cells and investigated its anticancer activity, and the results were validated in severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) mice. Although PG2 did not inhibit the growth of these cells, it dose-dependently suppressed their migration and invasion, accompanied by reduced vimentin and AXL and induced epithelial cadherin (E-cadherin) expression. Regarding the underlying molecular mechanism, PG2 treatment reduced the macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF), an inflammatory cytokine that promotes the epithelial-mesenchymal transition and aggressiveness of cancer cells. Consistent with the previous finding that MIF regulates matrix metalloproteinase-13 (MMP-13) and AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), treatment with PG2 reduced MMP-13 and activated AMPK in A549 and CL1-2 cells in this study. In SCID mice injected with A549 cells through the tail vein, intraperitoneal injection with PG2 reduced lung and abdominal metastases in parallel with decreased immunohistochemical staining of AXL, vimentin, MMP-13, and MIF in the tumor. Collectively, data revealed a potential application of PG2 in integrative cancer treatment through the suppression of MIF in cancer cells and their aggressiveness.

The Relationship between Functional Promoter Variants of Macrophage Migration Inhibitory Factor and Endometriosis

Objective

Endometriosis is a common gynecological and inflammatory disorder. Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) is a key pro-inflammatory cytokine that is secreted by accumulated active macrophages in ectopic endometrial tissues. Two promoter polymorphisms of MIF [-794(CATT)^5–8/-173G/C] were identified to susceptibility and severity of several immune and inflammatory diseases. We aimed to evaluate the possible association between MIF promoter polymorphisms and susceptibly to endometriosis and its corolation with mRNA level.

Materials and Methods

This case-control study was performed in Royan Institute from 2015 to 2017. Polymorphisms were evaluated in 106 endometriosis patients and 110 controls. For 17 endometrioma tissues, gene expression studies were conducted during secretory phase of menstrual cycle. Restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis was performed to determine -173G/C polymorphism and -794(CATT)^5–8 were detected by sequencing. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Q-PCR) was carried out to determine MIF expression level.

Results

Homozygote of CATT₇ was observed only in endometriosis whilst we did not detect the significant allele and genotype variation in both groups. The homozygotes for -794(CATT)^5–8 and -173G/C polymorphisms were obtained to estimate the haplotype frequencies. Significantly higher haplotype frequencies were observed for CATT₅/G in controls [global P value=0.044]. Additionally, the CATT₅/C and CATT₇/G haplotypes were not detected in any groups. Expression level of mRNA in ectopic tissue of endometriosis patients with CATT_6,7/CC haplotype, were significantly higher compared to other haplotypes including CATT_5,5/GG (2.91 fold, P=0.007), CATT_5,5/GC (2.48 fold, P=0.047) and CATT_6,6/GG (2.08 fold, P=0.046).

Conclusion

We report, for the first time, a strong linkage between the decreased repetition of CATT and G allele in control and CATT₆/C and CATT₇/C haplotypes in endometriosis patients. Increased MIF expression is affected by genetic variants in the MIF promoter in ectopic endometrial tissues. This promoter haplotype might play an important role in the development and establishment of endometriosis.

Macrophage migration inhibitory factor promoter polymorphisms (-794 CATT5-8): Relationship with soluble MIF levels in coronary atherosclerotic disease subjects

Background

We analyzed the relationship of −794 CATT5–8 MIF polymorphisms with soluble MIF in Coronary Atherosclerotic Disease (CAD) patients.

Methods

A total of 256 patients selected, on which 186 normal-coronary and 70 Coronary artery disease subjects, were recruited in the study (Retrospectively registered). Genotyping of −794 CATT5–8 polymorphisms were performed by PCR and DNA sequencing. Serum MIF levels were measured using an ELISA kit. Patients were classified by coronary angiogram, and CAD based on Gensini’s integral degree (angiographic scoring system).

Results

The allele frequency and genotype frequency of −794 CATT5–8 did not show any differences in normal-coronary subjects and CAD subjects. In CAD patients, serum MIF levels was lower in CATT (5) subjects than in CATT (7) subjects, while the genotype of −794 CATT5–8 did not show differences in serum MIF levels. In addition, we found a decrease in serum MIF levels in carriers of the (5/5) genotypes the −794 CATT5–8 MIF polymorphisms, although it was not significant. There was no relationship of CAD class and the allele frequency of −794 CATT5–8.

Conclusions

This study found no association between CAD class and −794 CATT5–8 MIF polymorphisms with soluble MIF levels in CAD Subjects.

Trial registration

NCT01750502 (November 2012, Retrospectively registered).

Upregulation of CD74 and its potential association with disease severity in subjects with ischemic stroke

Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) is a key cytokine/chemokine in the activation and recruitment of inflammatory T lymphocytes known to exacerbate experimental stroke severity. MIF effects are mediated through its primary cellular receptor, CD74, the MHC class II invariant chain present on all class II expressing cells, including monocytes, macrophages and dendritic cells (DC). We demonstrated previously that partial MHC class II/peptide constructs (pMHC) can effectively treat mice with experimental stroke, in part through their ability to competitively inhibit MIF/CD74 interactions and downstream signaling. However, the role of MIF and CD74 in human ischemic stroke is not yet well established. To evaluate the therapeutic potential for pMHC, we assessed MIF and CD74 expression levels and their association with disease outcome in subjects with ischemic stroke. MIF levels were assessed in blood plasma by ELISA and CD74 expression was quantified by flow cytometry and qRT-PCR in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) obtained from subjects with ischemic stroke and age and sex-matched healthy controls (HC). MIF levels were increased in plasma and the number of CD74⁺ cells and CD74 mRNA expression levels were significantly increased in PBMC of subjects with ischemic stroke versus HC, mainly on CD4⁺ T cells, monocytes and DC. Greater increases of CD74⁺ cells were seen in subjects with cortical vs. subcortical infarcts and the number of CD74⁺ cells in blood correlated strongly with infarct size and neurological outcomes. However, differences in MIF and CD74 expression were not affected by age, gender or lesion laterality. Increased CD74 expression levels may serve as a useful biomarker for worse stroke severity and predicted outcomes in subjects with ischemic stroke and provide a rationale for potential future treatment with pMHC constructs.

Association between STR -794 CATT5-8 and SNP -173 G/C polymorphisms in the MIF gene and Lepromatous Leprosy in Mestizo patients of western Mexico

Lepromatous Leprosy (LL) is the most common presentation of leprosy in Mexico. LL patients are unable to activate an effective inflammatory response against Mycobacterium leprae probably due to the genetics of the host. Macrophage Migration Inhibitory Factor (MIF) is important to trigger inflammation processes. Two polymorphisms have been reported for human MIF: STR -794 CATT5-8 and SNP -173 G/C. 7-8 CATT repeats at -794 and the C allele at -173 increase the expression of MIF. We aim to determine the association between the polymorphisms in MIF gene and LL. We carried a case and controls study with 100 Mexican LL patients and 100 healthy subjects (HS). PCR was used for genotyping of STR -794 CATT5-8 polymorphism and PCR-RFLP for -173 G/C. We found that LL patients possess high -794 CATT repeats (47.1%) more often than HS (32.7%). In conclusion, a MIF polymorphism is associated with susceptibility to LL in Western Mexican population.

Role of cysteine-58 and cysteine-95 residues in the thiol di-sulfide oxidoreductase activity of Macrophage Migration Inhibitory Factor-2 of Wuchereria bancrofti

Macrophage Migration Inhibitory Factor (MIF) is the first human cytokine reported and was thought to have a central role in the regulation of inflammatory responses. Homologs of this molecule have been reported in bacteria, invertebrates and plants. Apart from cytokine activity, it also has two catalytic activities viz., tautomerase and di-sulfide oxidoreductase, which appear to be involved in immunological functions. The CXXC catalytic site is responsible for di-sulfide oxidoreductase activity of MIF. We have recently reported thiol-disulfide oxidoreductase activity of Macrophage Migration Inhibitory Factor-2 of Wuchereria bancrofti (Wba-MIF-2), although it lacks the CXXC motif. We hypothesized that three conserved cysteine residues might be involved in the formation of di-sulfide oxidoreductase catalytic site. Homology modeling of Wba-MIF-2 showed that among the three cysteine residues, Cys58 and Cys95 residues came in close proximity (3.23Å) in the tertiary structure with pKa value 9, indicating that these residues might play a role in the di-sulfide oxidoreductase catalytic activity. We carried out site directed mutagenesis of these residues (Cys58Ser & Cys95Ser) and expressed mutant proteins in Escherichia coli. The mutant proteins did not show any oxidoreductase activity in the insulin reduction assay, thus indicating that these two cysteine residues are vital for the catalytic activity of Wba-MIF-2.

Chemokines mRNA expression in relation to the Macrophage Migration Inhibitory Factor (MIF) mRNA and Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) mRNA expression in the microenvironment of endometrial cancer tissue and normal endometrium: a pilot study

Tumor microenvironment inflammatory cells play a major role in cancer progression. Among these, the Tumor Associated Macrophages (TAMs) infiltration depends on the kind of chemokine, cytokines and growth factors secreted by the tumor cells and by the stroma in response to the cancer invasion. TAMs have been found to promote anti-tumor response in early stages and to stimulate neovascularization and metastases in advanced disease. In the microenvironment chemo-attractants of many human cancers, MIF and VEGF correlate with an increased TAMs recruitment. In addition, MIF enhances tumor cells metastases by modulating the immune responses and by promoting the angiogenesis related to VEGF. On the contrary the inhibition of MIF can lead to cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. Some chemokines (e.g. CXCL12, CXCL11, CXCL8) and their receptors, thanks to their ability to modulate migration and proliferation, are involved in the angiogenetic process. In this study we compared the expression of MIF mRNA with VEGF mRNA expression and with mRNA expression of other chemokines related to neo-angiogenesis, such as CXCL12, CXCL11, CXCL8 and CXCR4, in human endometrial cancer tissue (EC) and normal endometrium (NE). Fresh samples of EC tissue and NE were extracted from 15 patients with FIGO stage I-III undergoing primary surgery. Some of the tissue was sent for histology and part of it was treated with RNA later and stored at -80°C. Four patients dropped out. A significant up-regulation of MIF mRNA in EC tissue versus NE samples (P=0.01) was observed in all 11 patients. The MIF mRNA over-expression was coincident with a VEGF mRNA overexpression in 54% of patients (P=NS). MIF mRNA was inversely related to CXCL12 mRNA expression (P=0.01). MIF over-expression was significantly related to low grading G1-2 (P=0.01), endometrial type I (P=0.05), no lymphovascular spaces invasion (P=0.01) and 3years DFS (P=0.01). As reported in previous studies on patients with breast cancer, our data suggest that the up-regulation of MIF in patients with endometrial cancer might be related to the inhibition of distant and lymphatic spread.