Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) contributes to the development of allergic rhinitis

Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) is a proinflammatory cytokine whose expression has been found to be critical to the generation of antigen-specific immune responses. Recent studies suggested that MIF played a role in the initiation and maintenance of allergic diseases. To elucidate MIF's role in the pathogenesis of allergic rhinitis (AR), we sensitized MIF-deficient gene knockout (KO) mice and wild-type (WT) mice intraperitoneally with ovalbumin (OVA) and compared their clinical symptoms and allergic responses after intranasal challenge. Antigen-induced nasal symptoms were significantly reduced in MIF KO mice compared to WT mice. Histological examination of nasal mucosa showed that the number of infiltrating eosinophils in MIF KO mice was significantly lower than that in WT mice (P < 0.05). The concentration of TNF-alpha in nasal mucosa was also significantly lower in MIF KO mice than in WT mice (P < 0.05). We have demonstrated that the absence of MIF affects several aspects of experimental AR. One mechanism by which these effects might be mediated is by down regulating TNF-alpha. The block of allergic inflammation in MIF KO mice suggests that MIF may play a role in the allergic response.