Macrophage migration inhibitory factor is a therapeutic target in treatment of non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus.

Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) is a proinflammatory cytokine involved in the pathogenesis of a variety of autoimmune inflammatory diseases. Here, we investigated the role of MIF in the pathogenesis of non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) using MIF(-/-) mice and a mouse model of streptozotocin (STZ)-induced NIDDM. Following single injection of STZ, MIF(+/+) BALB/c mice showed a significant increase in blood glucose levels, developed polyuria, and succumbed to disease.