Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF): can functional insights pave the way for future therapeutics in cardiovascular diseases?

Introduction: Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) is a multifunctional cytokine involved in immune regulation, inflammation, and tissue homeostasis. Elevated MIF levels contribute to the progression of various cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), making it an attractive therapeutic target. However, the pleiotropic nature and complexity of MIF context-dependent effects pose significant challenges for clinical translation, but also offer unique opportunities to develop new precision medicine-based tools.

Areas Covered: This review summarizes the biological functions of MIF and its homolog MIF-2 in CVD pathogenesis, along with the current landscape of therapies targeting MIF. We highlight recent preclinical findings, discuss ongoing controversies surrounding MIF's dual roles, and explore the potential of personalized approaches.

Expert Opinion: MIF represents a promising yet complex target in cardiovascular medicine. Future success in clinical application will depend on the development of highly selective modulators, integration of patient stratification strategies and MIF-based interventions as part of multimodal cardiovascular care.