The p53-dependent effects of macrophage migration inhibitory factor revealed by gene targeting.

ABSTRACT: Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) is a mediator of host immunity and functions as a high, upstream activator of cells within the innate and the adaptive immunological systems. Recent studies have suggested a potentially broader role for MIF in growth regulation because of its ability to antagonize p53-mediated gene activation and apoptosis. To better understand MIF's activity in growth control, we generated and characterized a strain of MIF-knockout (MIF-KO) mice in the inbred, C57BL/6 background. Embryonic fibroblasts from MIF-KO mice exhibit p53-dependent growth alterations, increased p53 transcriptional activity, and resistance to ras-mediated transformation. Concurrent deletion of the p53 gene in vivo reversed the observed phenotype of cells deficient in MIF. In vivo studies

SUBMITTER: Fingerle-Rowson G 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC170922 | biostudies-literature | 2003 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature