Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF)

Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) is a proinflammatory cytokine encoded within a functionally polymorphic genetic locus. MIF is a highly conserved 12.5 kDa secretory protein that is involved in numerous biological processes. The expression and secretion profile of MIF suggests that MIF to be ubiquitously and constitutively expressed in almost all mammalian cells and is vital for numerous physiological processes. MIF is a pleiotropic inflammatory cytokine important in the upstream regulation of both innate and adaptive immunological responses and has been implicated in the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases including rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).