Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) in allergic rhinitis

Abstract

Rationale The purpose of this study was to assess the role of MIF in the pathogenesis of AR. Methods Serum MIF concentrations were measured by ELISA. In order to elucidate the cellular source of MIF at the site of allergic inflammation, we performed double immunostaining of biopsies of the nasal mucous membrane, with markers for MIF and for inflammatory cells. Results The mean MIF level in sera from AR patients was significantly higher than that in sera from healthy controls. Moreover, the levels were significantly correlated with the severity of the clinical symptoms. The majority of the MIF-positive cells at the site of allergic inflammation were eosinophils. Conclusions These data suggest that MIF plays a role in the initiation and maintenance of AR. Eosinophils formed by far the largest population of MIF producing cells, suggesting that they may be a major source of MIF at inflammatory sites in atopic disease.