Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) expression in human glioblastomas correlates with vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression

Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) is a peptide released upon hypothalamo-pituitary stimulation that acts as a potent endogenous antagonist of the glucocorticoid inhibition of acute inflammatory response and subsequent antigen-specific response. MIF also sustains tumour growth as it promotes angiogenesis, overcomes p53-mediated cell growth arrest and inhibits tumour-specific immune responses. Using quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and immunohistochemistry, we studied MIF expression in 35 human glioblastomas and two normal brains. We compared these results with the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), the most potent angiogenic factor in glioblastomas. We detected MIF in normal cortical neurons and glial cells. All glioblastomas were positive for MIF mRNA with expression levels similar to or higher than those of normal brain. MIF immunoreactivity was seen mainly in tumour cells and less frequently in hyperplastic endothelial cells. The expressions of MIF and VEGF mRNA were strongly correlated (P < 0.0001). Our results demonstrate the expression of MIF in human glioblastomas, and indicate a close relationship with VEGF expression. This is of particular interest given the potential modulation of MIF by glucocorticosteroids.