Identification and immunohistochemical localization of macrophage migration inhibitory factor in human cornea.

We identified macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) mRNA expression in human cornea, and demonstrated its immunohistological localization. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction analysis revealed that MIF mRNA was expressed in both the corneal epithelial and endothelial cells. Immunohistochemical study using the polyclonal antibody prepared from immunizing a rabbit with human recombinant MIF showed that MIF was present in the basal cells of corneal epithelium and endothelial cells. The fact that MIF exists in those cells of the cornea indicates that MIF may play an important role in corneal cell immunity and cellular differentiation.