Compartmentalized Protective and Detrimental Effects of Endogenous Macrophage Migration-Inhibitory Factor Mediated by CXCR2 in a Mouse Model of Myocardial Ischemia/Reperfusion

Abstract

The compartmentalized and opposing effects of MIF after myocardial ischemia and reperfusion are largely mediated by CXCR2. Although MIF confers protective effects by improving myocardial healing and function through CXCR2 in resident cells, thereby complementing paracrine effects through CD74/AMP-activated protein kinase, it exerts detrimental effects on CXCR2-bearing inflammatory cells by increasing monocyte infiltration and impairing heart function. These dichotomous findings should be considered when developing novel therapeutic strategies to treat myocardial infarction.