Endocrine Abstracts

MIF is a potent pro-inflammatory mediator that opposes the anti-inflammatory actions of glucocorticoids (Gc) and is involved in the pathogenesis of multiple diseases. The MIF promoter is inhibited by Gc in lymphocytes (CEMC7A) but not in epithelial cells (A549), despite expression of functional glucocorticoid receptors (GR) in both. Deletion studies localized the cis element responsible for Gc inhibition to between MIF −71 and +85. This sequence contained no GR binding s...

Glucocorticoids (Gc) act on most cells and tissues, but their effects vary in a cell-type specific manner. A number of genes show divergent responses to glucocorticoid action, dependent on their tissue of origin. One such gene is MIF, a proinflammatory cytokine associated with Gc resistance in inflammation, and linked with susceptibility to chronic, human inflammatory disease. Importantly, MIF gene expression is inhibited by Gc in lymphoblasts, but not in epithelial cells; a f...