Expression of macrophage migration inhibitory factor in patients with myeloperoxidase anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-associated glomerulonephritis

Aim and methods: To investigate the relationship between macrophage migrati on inhibitory factor and clinical or pathological findings in patients with myeloperoxidase anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody MPO-ANCA-associated g lomerulonephritis characterized by idiopathic necrotizing crescentic glomer ulonephritis, renal biopsy specimens from 16 patients with MPO-ANCA-associa ted glomerulonephritis and 15 controls were stained using an enzyme antibod y method to detect macrophage migration inhibitory factor and macrophages i nfiltrating the glomeruli. The relationship of this factor with various cli nical parameters and with cellular crescents was determined. Results: Macro phage migration inhibitory factor was detected in 11 out of 16 patients wit h MPO-ANCA-associated glomerulonephritis, but was not found in any of the c ontrols. In the positive patients, the blood MPO-ANCA level was significant ly higher than in the negative patients. Both cellular crescents and the nu mber of macrophages infiltrating the glomeruli were significantly increased in the patients positive for macrophage migration inhibitory factor. Concl usion: Thus, macrophage migration inhibitory factor may be closely related to cellular crescent formation and disease activity in patients with MPO-AN CA-associated glomerulonephritis.