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Current Pharmaceutical Design

Editor-in-Chief

ISSN (Print): 1381-6128
ISSN (Online): 1873-4286

Tumor Growth-Promoting Properties of Macrophage Migration Inhibitory Factor

Author(s): Carlo Bifulco, Katy McDaniel, Lin Leng and Richard Bucala

Volume 14, Issue 36, 2008

Page: [3790 - 3801] Pages: 12

DOI: 10.2174/138161208786898608

Price: $65

Abstract

Macrophage migration inhibitor factor (MIF) is a highly conserved and evolutionarily ancient mediator with pleiotropic effects that has been implicated in tumor growth and progression. MIFs function is unique among cytokines and its effects extend to multiple processes fundamental to tumorigenesis such as tumor proliferation, evasion of apoptosis, angiogenesis and invasion. These pleiotropic functional aspects are paralleled by MIFs unique signaling properties, which involve activation of the ERK-1/2 and AKT pathways and the regulation of JAB1, p53, SCF ubiquitin ligases and HIF-1. These properties reflect features central to growth regulation, apoptosis and cell cycle control than is typical for an immune cytokine. The significance of these pro-tumorigenic properties has found support in several in vitro and in vivo models of cancer and in the positive association between MIF production and tumor aggressiveness and metastatic potential in a variety of human tumors.

Keywords: Macrophage migration inhibitory factor, HIF-1, P53, TAM, angiogenesis, tumor progression, CD44, CD74


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