Macrophage migration inhibitor factor (MIF): Potential role in cognitive impairment disorders

Lian Zeng; Pengchao Hu; Yu Zhang; Mingyue Li; Yilin Zhao; Shiyong Li; Ailin Luo

doi:10.1016/j.cytogfr.2024.03.003

Macrophage migration inhibitor factor (MIF): Potential role in cognitive impairment disorders

Cytokine Growth Factor Rev. 2024 Mar 19:S1359-6101(24)00028-5. doi: 10.1016/j.cytogfr.2024.03.003. Online ahead of print.

Authors

Lian Zeng¹, Pengchao Hu², Yu Zhang³, Mingyue Li³, Yilin Zhao¹, Shiyong Li⁴, Ailin Luo⁵

Affiliations

¹ Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Hubei Key Laboratory of Geriatric Anesthesia and Perioperative Brain Health, and Wuhan Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Anesthesia, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China.
² Hubei Provincial Clinical Research Center for Parkinson's Disease, Central Laboratory, Xiangyang No.1 People's Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Xiangyang 44100, China; Hubei Key Laboratory of Precision Radiation Oncology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China.
³ Hubei Provincial Clinical Research Center for Parkinson's Disease, Central Laboratory, Xiangyang No.1 People's Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Xiangyang 44100, China.
⁴ Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Hubei Key Laboratory of Geriatric Anesthesia and Perioperative Brain Health, and Wuhan Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Anesthesia, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China. Electronic address: shiyongli@hust.edu.cn.
⁵ Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Hubei Key Laboratory of Geriatric Anesthesia and Perioperative Brain Health, and Wuhan Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Anesthesia, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China. Electronic address: alluo@hust.edu.cn.

PMID: 38548489
DOI: 10.1016/j.cytogfr.2024.03.003

Abstract

Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) is a cytokine in the immune system, participated in both innate and adaptive immune responses. Except from immune cells, MIF is also secreted by a variety of non-immune cells, including hematopoietic cells, endothelial cells (ECs), and neurons. MIF plays a crucial role in various diseases, such as sepsis, rheumatoid arthritis, acute kidney injury, and neurodegenerative diseases. The role of MIF in the neuropathogenesis of cognitive impairment disorders is emphasized, as it recruits multiple inflammatory mediators, leading to activating microglia or astrocyte-derived neuroinflammation. Furthermore, it contributes to the cell death of neurons and ECs with the binding of apoptosis-inducing factor (AIF) through parthanatos-associated apoptosis-inducing factor nuclease (PAAN) / MIF pathway. This review comprehensively delves into the relationship between MIF and the neuropathogenesis of cognitive impairment disorders, providing a series of emerging MIF-targeted pharmaceuticals as potential treatments for cognitive impairment disorders.

Keywords: Cognitive impairment diseases; Endothelial cells; Glia; Macrophage migration inhibitors factor; Neuroinflammation; Neuron.

Publication types

Review