Macrophage Migration Inhibitory Factor Promotes Inflammation in Human Dental Pulp

抄録

Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) has emerged as an essential proinflammatory cytokine in inflammatory and immune responses. We investigated the expression of MIF in human dental pulp tissue and the function of MIF in human dental pulp fibroblast-like cells. MIF was expressed in areas of dental pulp characterized by a robust inflammatory response, for instance, in human dental pulp tissues that exhibited pathological signs of purulent inflammation. MIF stimulated the expression of prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase 2 (PTGS2) mRNA and prostaglandin E₂ production in human dental pulp fibroblast-like cells. These effects of MIF on the expression of PTGS2 mRNA and prostaglandin E₂ production were attenuated in the presence of the CXCR2 and CXCR4 antagonists SCH527123 and WZ811. These results suggest that MIF is involved in inflammation by activating CXCR2 and CXCR4 in human dental pulp.