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Updated: Mar 12, 2026
Phenotypic Characterization of Macrophages from Rat Kidney by Flow Cytometry
Published on: October 18, 2016
Expressions of macrophage migration inhibitory factor in patients with chronic kidney disease
1Department of Nephrology, Shandong University Qilu Hospital, Jinan; Department of Nephrology, Taian City Central Hospital, Taian, P.R. China.
Insights
Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) is elevated in hemodialysis patients and linked to myocardial hypertrophy in end-stage renal disease (ESRD). This suggests MIF promotes uremic cardiomyopathy development.
Area of Science:
- Nephrology
- Cardiology
- Immunology
Background:
- Uremic cardiomyopathy is a significant complication of end-stage renal disease (ESRD), leading to high mortality.
- Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) is implicated in inflammatory processes and may contribute to uremic cardiomyopathy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of serum macrophage MIF on myocardial hypertrophy in ESRD patients.
- To explore the relationship between serum MIF levels and clinical characteristics in ESRD patients.
Main Methods:
- Serum MIF and left ventricular mass index (LVMI) were measured in 144 chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients (CKD, peritoneal dialysis, hemodialysis) and a control group.
- MIF was quantified using the Bio-Plex cytokine assay; LVMI was determined by color Doppler ultrasound.
Main Results:
- Serum MIF levels were significantly higher in hemodialysis patients compared to peritoneal dialysis, CKD patients, and healthy controls (P = 0.009).
- Elevated MIF levels were observed in patients with left ventricular hypertrophy and correlated with other inflammatory markers.
Conclusions:
- Macrophage migration inhibitory factor appears to promote the development of uremic cardiomyopathy in ESRD patients.
- Serum MIF may serve as a potential biomarker for uremic cardiomyopathy.
Context:
Uremic cardiomyopathy is a risk factor of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) and is responsible for high mortality rates and increased left ventricular mass index (LVMI). Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) promotes inflammation and is an important factor in uremic cardiomyopathy.
Aims:
The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of serum macrophage MIF on myocardial hypertrophy in ESRD patients and to examine the relation of this factor to clinical characteristics.
Settings And Design:
One hundred forty-four patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) were divided into three groups: (1) CKD, (2) peritoneal dialysis (PD), and (3) hemodialysis (HD) groups. A control group included subjects without kidney disease. Serum macrophage migratory inflammatory factor was measured using the Bio-Plex cytokine assay and LVMI was measured.
Subjects And Methods:
MIF was determined using the Bio-Plex cytokine assay. LVMI was calculated by color Doppler ultrasound measurements.
Statistical Analysis Used:
Statistical analyses to compare data among groups included: The Kruskal-Wallis test to measure skewness of data and Spearman's rank correlation test to measure associations among continuous and ordinal variables. Logistic regression analysis was performed to determine relative risk.
Results:
Serum macrophage migratory inflammatory factor levels were higher in HD patients (982.74 pg/mL) than that of PD patients (762.20 pg/mL), CKD patients (755.66 pg/mL), or healthy controls (336.81 pg/mL) (P = 0.009). Levels were also significantly increased in patients with left ventricular hypertrophy, and they correlated with the levels of other inflammatory factors.
Conclusions:
This study suggests that macrophage migratory inflammatory factor promoted the occurrence and development of uremic cardiomyopathy in patients with ESRD.
