Macrophage migration inhibitory factor

Cell biology

Motility

Biology

Acquired immune system

Extracellular

Immunity

Biochemistry

Immunology

Intracellular

Genetics

Lymphocyte

Immune system

In vitro

Cytokine

Macrophage

Inflammation

Cell

CCL18

Innate immune system

Mediator

Frontiers in Immunology

Initially identified as a T lymphocyte-elicited inhibitor of macrophage motility, macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) has since been found to be expressed by nearly every immune cell type examined and overexpressed in most solid and hematogenous malignant cancers. It is localized to both extracellular and intracellular compartments and physically interacts with more than a dozen different cell surface and intracellular proteins. Although classically associated with and characterized as a mediator of pro-inflammatory innate immune responses, more recent studies demonstrate that, in malignant disease settings, MIF contributes to anti-inflammatory, immune evasive, and immune tolerant phenotypes in both innate and adaptive immune cell types. This review will summarize the studies describing MIF in tumor-specific innate and adaptive immune responses and attempt to reconcile these various pleiotropic functions in normal physiology.

MIF-Dependent Control of Tumor Immunity