Macrophage migration inhibitory factor acts as a neurotrophin in the developing inner ear

Development. 2012 Dec;139(24):4666-74. doi: 10.1242/dev.066647.

Abstract

This study is the first to demonstrate that macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF), an immune system 'inflammatory' cytokine that is released by the developing otocyst, plays a role in regulating early innervation of the mouse and chick inner ear. We demonstrate that MIF is a major bioactive component of the previously uncharacterized otocyst-derived factor, which directs initial neurite outgrowth from the statoacoustic ganglion (SAG) to the developing inner ear. Recombinant MIF acts as a neurotrophin in promoting both SAG directional neurite outgrowth and neuronal survival and is expressed in both the developing and mature inner ear of chick and mouse. A MIF receptor, CD74, is found on both embryonic SAG neurons and adult mouse spiral ganglion neurons. Mif knockout mice are hearing impaired and demonstrate altered innervation to the organ of Corti, as well as fewer sensory hair cells. Furthermore, mouse embryonic stem cells become neuron-like when exposed to picomolar levels of MIF, suggesting the general importance of this cytokine in neural development.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Animals, Newborn
  • Cell Survival / drug effects
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Chick Embryo
  • Ear, Inner / drug effects
  • Ear, Inner / embryology*
  • Ear, Inner / growth & development
  • Ear, Inner / metabolism
  • Intramolecular Oxidoreductases / genetics
  • Intramolecular Oxidoreductases / metabolism
  • Intramolecular Oxidoreductases / pharmacology
  • Intramolecular Oxidoreductases / physiology*
  • Macrophage Migration-Inhibitory Factors / genetics
  • Macrophage Migration-Inhibitory Factors / metabolism
  • Macrophage Migration-Inhibitory Factors / pharmacology
  • Macrophage Migration-Inhibitory Factors / physiology*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Nerve Growth Factors / genetics
  • Nerve Growth Factors / metabolism
  • Nerve Growth Factors / pharmacology
  • Nerve Growth Factors / physiology*
  • Neurites / drug effects
  • Neurites / physiology
  • Neurons / cytology
  • Neurons / drug effects
  • Neurons / physiology
  • Organ of Corti / embryology
  • Organ of Corti / growth & development
  • Organ of Corti / metabolism
  • Spiral Ganglion / embryology
  • Spiral Ganglion / growth & development
  • Spiral Ganglion / metabolism

Substances

  • Macrophage Migration-Inhibitory Factors
  • Nerve Growth Factors
  • Intramolecular Oxidoreductases
  • Mif protein, mouse