Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 27, 2026
Quantitative 3D In Silico Modeling (q3DISM) of Cerebral Amyloid-beta Phagocytosis in Rodent Models of Alzheimer's Disease
Published on: December 26, 2016
Macrophage migration inhibitory factor in mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer's disease
Julius Popp1, Michael Bacher, Heike Kölsch
1University of Bonn, Department of Psychiatry, Bonn, Germany. Julius.Popp@ukb.uni-bonn.de
Abstract:
Inflammatory processes may substantially contribute to the cerebral pathology in Alzheimer's disease (AD) and accelerate the disease progression. The macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) is a pro-inflammatory cytokine which promotes the production of several inflammatory mediators such as TNF-alpha, IL-6 and IFN-gamma, and plays a central regulatory role in the pathogenesis of several inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. There is now first evidence that MIF may be involved in the neuroinflammation in AD. To determine whether MIF production is up-regulated early in the course of AD, we compared the levels of MIF assessed by ELISA in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of 31 patients with AD, 28 patients with amnestic mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and 19 subjects without cognitive deficits. Additionally, we measured the CSF concentrations of the inflammatory mediators TNF-alpha, IL-6 and IFN-gamma, which are thought to be both up-regulated by MIF and involved in the pathophysiology of AD. CSF MIF concentrations were significantly increased in AD (p=0.003) and MCI patients (p<0.001) compared to controls. The levels of TNF-alpha, IL-6 and IFN-gamma did not differ significantly between the groups. There was a correlation only between the concentrations of MIF and of TNF-alpha in the AD group (r=0.407; p=0.023). These results demonstrate increased MIF production in AD and MCI suggesting that MIF may be involved in the occurring neuroinflammatory process at a clinical pre-dementia disease stage.
Insights
Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) is elevated in Alzheimer's disease (AD) and mild cognitive impairment (MCI). This suggests MIF plays a role in early neuroinflammation, even before dementia onset.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Immunology
- Pathology
Background:
- Neuroinflammation is implicated in Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathogenesis.
- Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) is a key pro-inflammatory cytokine involved in autoimmune and inflammatory diseases.
- Emerging evidence suggests MIF's potential role in AD-related neuroinflammation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate whether macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) production is increased early in Alzheimer's disease (AD).
- To compare MIF levels in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of AD patients, mild cognitive impairment (MCI) patients, and cognitively healthy controls.
- To assess the relationship between MIF and other inflammatory mediators (TNF-alpha, IL-6, IFN-gamma) in AD.
Main Methods:
- Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to measure MIF concentrations in CSF.
- CSF samples were analyzed from 31 AD patients, 28 MCI patients, and 19 controls.
- Concentrations of TNF-alpha, IL-6, and IFN-gamma were also measured in the CSF.
Main Results:
- CSF MIF concentrations were significantly elevated in both AD (p=0.003) and MCI (p<0.001) groups compared to controls.
- No significant differences in TNF-alpha, IL-6, or IFN-gamma levels were observed between the groups.
- A positive correlation was found between MIF and TNF-alpha levels specifically within the AD group (r=0.407; p=0.023).
Conclusions:
- Increased MIF production is evident in both AD and MCI stages.
- These findings indicate that MIF may contribute to neuroinflammation at a pre-dementia stage of AD.
- MIF represents a potential early biomarker or therapeutic target in AD and MCI.
More Related Videos
07:54Rapid and Refined CD11b Magnetic Isolation of Primary Microglia with Enhanced Purity and Versatility
Published on: April 13, 2017
10:40Immunofluorescence Staining Using IBA1 and TMEM119 for Microglial Density, Morphology and Peripheral Myeloid Cell Infiltration Analysis in Mouse Brain
Published on: October 27, 2019
