Scientific background: |
Macrophage migration inhibitory factor, MIF, is a cytokine released by T-lymphocytes, macrophages, and the pituitary gland that serves to integrate peripheral and central inflammatory responses. MIF gene has 3 exons separated by introns of only 189 and 95 bp, and covers less than 1 kb. Localization of the human gene for macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) to chromosome 22q11.2 MIF plays a critical role in inflammatory diseases and atherogenesis. |
References: |
1. Bernhagen, J.; Krohn, R.; Lue, H.; Gregory, J. L.; Zernecke, A.; Koenen, R. R.; Dewor, M.; Georgiev, I.; Schober, A.; Leng, L.; Kooistra, T.; Fingerle-Rowson, G.; Ghezzi, P.; Kleemann, R.; McColl, S. R.; Bucala, R.; Hickey, M. J.; Weber, C. : MIF is a noncognate ligand of CXC chemokine receptors in inflammatory and atherogenic cell recruitment. Nature Med. 13: 587-596, 2007.
2. Bozza, M.; Kolakowski, L. F., Jr.; Jenkins, N. A.; Gilbert, D. J.; Copeland, N. G.; David, J. R.; Gerard, C. : Structural characterization and chromosomal location of the mouse macrophage migration inhibitory factor gene and pseudogenes. Genomics 27: 412-419, 1995
3. Budarf, M.; McDonald, T.; Sellinger, B.; Kozak, C.; Graham, C.; Wistow, G. : Localization of the human gene for macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) to chromosome 22q11.2. Genomics 39: 235-236, 1997. |