High Expression of Macrophage Migration Inhibitory Factor in the Murine Lacrimal Gland

Purpose: To report the expression of macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) in murine lacrimal glands. Methods: Six lacrimal glands from 3 female 8-week-old CBA/J mice were analyzed using a gene microarray method (Oligo GEArray mouse inflammatory cytokines and receptors, Catalog No. OMM-011, SuperArray Bioscience) and immunofluorescent staining for MIF Nine lacrimal glands from 8-week-old CBA/J mice, 9 lacrimal glands from 8-week-old C57BL/6 mice, and 7 lacrimal glands from 8-week-old BALB/c mice were analyzed using real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. Five spleens, 5 livers, and 5 serum samples from 5 female 8-week-old CBA/J mice were analyzed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results: Microarray analysis revealed that MIF is highly expressed in the murine lacrimal gland. Lacrimal acinar cells stain strongly with anti-MIF antibodies. Real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction revealed that the MIF mRNA expression level is lower in lacrimal glands of CBA/J mice compared with C57BL/6 and BALB/c mice when normalized against the expression of P-actin mRNA. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay revealed that MIF level was higher in lacrimal glands and spleens compared with livers and sera. Conclusion: The murine lacrimal gland expresses high levels of macrophage MIF without any evidence of lacrimal gland inflammation.