Abstract.
Objective and Design:
The role of macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF), a proinflammatory cytokine, was tested using a mouse asthma model.
Materials:
One hundred and four male BALB/c mice were used in this study.
Treatment:
Mice were actively sensitized with an intraperitoneal injection of ovalbumin (OVA) and challenged with repeated nebulization of 1 w/v% OVA. Polyclonal anti-MIF antibody was intraperitoneally injected at 10 mg/kg during the antigen challenge period.
Methods:
Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) was performed 8 h after the last challenge. Airway hyperresponsiveness to inhaled methacholine was measured 24 h after the last challenge.
Results:
Antigen challenge to immunized mice induced increase in inflammatory cells and concentration of Th2 cytokines in BAL fluid (BALF), and caused the development of airway hyperresponsiveness. Anti-MIF antibody significantly decreased the numbers of inflammatory cells including macrophages, eosinophils, lymphocytes and neutrophils in BALF from OVA-challenged mice. Prednisolone decreased the numbers of eosinophils, lymphocytes and neutrophils but not macrophages. Anti-MIF antibody reduced airway hyperresponsiveness. Anti-MIF antibody affected neither the cytokine levels in BALF nor the IgE levels in serum.
Conclusion:
MIF was involved in the antigen-induced inflammatory cell accumulation in the lung and airway hyperresponsiveness without affecting immune responses.
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Received 17 November 2005; returned for revision 14 June 2006; accepted by M. Katori 25 July 2006
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Amano, T., Nishihira, J. & Miki, I. Blockade of macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) prevents the antigen-induced response in a murine model of allergic airway inflammation. Inflamm. res. 56, 24–31 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00011-007-5184-9
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00011-007-5184-9