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The role of the cytokine, macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF), in the immune response and in the immunopathogenesis of different inflammatory, autoimmune, and infectious disorders is now well established. The aim of this handbook is to provide an authoritative volume covering all aspects of MIF, from basic molecular biology to structure-function relationships, pathophysiology, genetics, and drug development. Recent studies continue to broaden considerably the role of MIF in both normal physiology and pathology, which range from such diverse areas as oncogenesis, cardiac physiology, and neurodevelopment. MIF's molecular mechanism of action in these contexts is becoming increasingly understood and the role of variant MIF alleles in different conditions continues to be defined. Unique structural features of the protein, such as an intrinsic catalytic activity, and the continuing elucidation of its receptor-dependent mechanism of action offer attractive opportunities for therapeutic intervention. This volume will provide a comprehensive synthesis of the state of the art of MIF science.
List of contents
MIF Structure and Mechanism of Action: MIF Structure Function Relationships; Utilizing Chemical Biology to Understand the Structural Determinants of MIF Function; MIF and the Chemokine Axis; D-Dopachrome Tautomerase, a Second MIF; Endogenous Regulators of MIF Action; MIF Interaction with the COP9 Signalosome; MIF Receptor Dependent Mechanisms in B Cell Biology; Computational Design of MIF Antagonists; Regulation of MIF Expression: Epigenetic Control of MIF Expression; Hypoxia Signaling and MIF; Regulation of MIF Expression in the Lung; Infectious and Inflammatory Diseases: MIF Alleles in Infectious Diseases; MIF Expression in Infectious Diseases; Role of MIF in Parasitic Infections; MIF Orthologues in Human Parasites; MIF In Respiratory Diseases; Role of MIF in Autoimmunity; Role of MIF in Neurogenic Inflammation; Cancer: Regulation of Adhesion Proteins and Membrane Dynamics by MIF; Cell Cycle Regulation and Tumorigenesis; CLL Promotion by MIF; Prostate Cancer; Ovarian Cancer; MIF Biology - Cardiovascular Disease: Atherosclerosis; Ischemia and Cardioprotection; Stroke; Neurophysiology and Neuropathology: Role of MIF in Neuronal Function; Neurodevelopmental Actions of MIF; MIF in Autism Spectrum Disorders.
