The Biology of MIF

MIF is a structurally unique protein, highly conserved across species, that chiefly functions to modulate the set point of the inflammatory response. Unlike other cytokines that are expressed only in response to specific threat, MIF is constitutively expressed in tissues and blood in health. MIF is required for full expression of immune and inflammatory responses, impacting on T cell activation, cytokine expression, MAP kinase activation, leukocyte recruitment and apoptosis.

These functions of MIF are subserved by numerous intracellular protein-protein interactions.

The unique structure of MIF lends itself to a structure-based drug design approach.

For more information, see Morand et al Nature Reviews Drug Discovery 5, 399-411 (May 2006)