MIF downregulation attenuates neuroinflammation via TLR4/MyD88/TRAF6/NF-κB pathway to protect dopaminergic neurons in Parkinson's disease model.

ABSTRACT: The progression of Parkinson's disease (PD) is closely associated with neuroinflammatory responses and microglial activation. Consequently, research targeting microglia-mediated neuroinflammation has garnered increasing attention. Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF), a multifunctional cytokine, is implicated in neurodegenerative pathologies, including PD. However, its precise regulatory mechanisms in PD-associated microglial activation and neuroinflammatory cascades remain incompletely characterized. In this study, we observe that MIF exacerbates the pathogenesis of PD through its pro-inflammatory effect, and downregulation of MIF could ameliorate motor behavior deficits, attenuate neuroinflammation, and protect midbrain dopamine (DA) neurons in PD mice. Mechanistically, MIF downr

SUBMITTER: Huang Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12627489 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature