Macrophage migration inhibitory factor in human early pregnancy events and association with placental pathologies

Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) is a versatile cytokine acting as an important regulator of innate and adaptive immunity and implicated in many physiological and pathological processes. It is abundantly expressed at the feto-maternal interface and proposed to have a role in establishing and maintaining a healthy pregnancy. This review presents the current literature data regarding the MIF role in early pregnancy events and its association with some of the placental pathological conditions, including infection, preeclampsia, gestational diabetes mellitus and choriocarcinoma. General information regarding MIF structure and function is followed by an overview of its expression in reproductive tissues and in pregnancy. Futher, we discuss MIF's involvement in the survival of decidual stromal cells, placenta of the first trimester of pregnancy, and in trophoblast cell functions studied in vitro. Current findings associating this cytokine to placental infection, preeclampsia, gestational diabetes mellitus and choriocarcinoma are presented in the final part.