Macrophage migration inhibitory factor and innate immune responses to bacterial infections

Objectives: To review the role of macrophage migration inhibitory factor (M IF) in host responses to infection and to explore the potential of MIF as a novel target for therapeutic intervention in patients with severe sepsis a nd septic shock. Data Sources: Published articles on the role of MIF in innate immune respon ses against microbial pathogens, Data Summary:MIF has emerged recently as an important effector molecule of the innate immune system, MIF is expressed constitutively by monocytes/macr ophages, T cells, B cells, endocrine cells, and epithelial cells. Microbial toxins and cytokines are powerful inducers of MIF release by immune cells, MIF expression is up-regulated during the course of inflammatory and infec tious diseases and was found to play an important role in the pathogenesis of sepsis and septic shock, Conclusion: Given the role of MIF in innate immune responses against microb ial pathogens and in the regulation of inflammatory responses, modulation o f MIF production or neutralization of its activity may offer new therapeuti c options for the management of patients with sepsis.