Mechanisms of Disease: macrophage migration inhibitory factor in SLE, RA and atherosclerosis

Patients with rheumatoid arthritis or systemic lupus erythematosus have an increased burden of cardiovascular disease, which is incompletely explained by traditional risk factors. Circulating levels of macrophage migration inhibitory factor are increased in these patients, which, together with other evidence, has lead to this cytokine being considered as a possible link between these inflammatory diseases and atherosclerosis.