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Updated: Jan 26, 2026

An In vitro Model to Study Immune Responses of Human Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells to Human Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infection
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An In vitro Model to Study Immune Responses of Human Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells to Human Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infection

Published on: December 10, 2013

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Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) controls cytokine release during respiratory syncytial virus infection

Gabriela F de Souza1, Stéfanie P Muraro1, Leonardo D Santos1

  • 1Laboratory of Clinical and Experimental Immunology, Infant Center, School of Medicine, Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS), Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.

Inflammation Research : Official Journal of the European Histamine Research Society ... [Et Al.]
|April 5, 2019
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection triggers macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) expression, which is crucial for releasing pro-inflammatory cytokines. This study clarifies MIF's role in the immune response to RSV in macrophages.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Virology
  • Cell Biology

Background:

  • Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a leading cause of respiratory infections in young children, often leading to reinfection.
  • RSV infection causes lung tissue damage, activating immune cells and inflammatory pathways.
  • Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) is a key pro-inflammatory cytokine implicated in immune responses.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of MIF in macrophages during RSV infection.
  • To elucidate the signaling pathways involved in RSV-induced MIF expression.
  • To determine MIF's impact on viral clearance and cytokine release post-RSV infection.

Main Methods:

  • Assessed MIF expression in mouse macrophages stimulated with RSV using Western blot and real-time PCR.
  • Utilized signaling pathway and reactive oxygen species (ROS) inhibitors to analyze MIF regulation.
  • Employed a specific MIF inhibitor (ISO-1) to evaluate its effects on viral clearance and cytokine production (TNF-α, MCP-1, IL-10).

Main Results:

  • RSV induces MIF expression in a manner dependent on ROS, 5-LOX, COX, and PI3K activation.
  • Viral replication is essential for RSV-induced MIF expression, while p38 MAPK plays a partial role.
  • MIF is critical for the release of TNF-α, MCP-1, and IL-10 from macrophages following RSV stimulation.

Conclusions:

  • MIF is expressed in macrophages during RSV infection.
  • MIF plays a significant role in controlling the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines in an in vitro RSV infection model.
Keywords:
CytokinesMIFMacrophage migration inhibitory factorMacrophagesRespiratory syncytial virusSignaling pathways

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