The emerging role of MIF in septic shock and infection.

The protein mediator described originally as macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) has been "re-discovered" recently to be both a novel pituitary hormone and a pro-inflammatory, macrophage-derived cytokine. Emerging studies indicate that MIF plays a pivotal role not only in endotoxic shock but also in the host response to a variety of acute and chronic infections.