Elevated Urine Levels of Macrophage Migration Inhibitory Factor in Inflammatory Bladder Conditions: a Potential Biomarker for a Subgroup of Interstitial Cystitis/Bladder Pain Syndrome Patients Journal Article


Authors: Vera, P. L.; Preston, D. M.; Moldwin, R. M.; Erickson, D. R.; Mowlazadeh, B.; Ma, F.; Kouzoukas, D. E.; Meyer-Siegler, K. L.; Fall, M.
Article Title: Elevated Urine Levels of Macrophage Migration Inhibitory Factor in Inflammatory Bladder Conditions: a Potential Biomarker for a Subgroup of Interstitial Cystitis/Bladder Pain Syndrome Patients
Abstract: (1) Objectives: To investigate whether urinary levels of macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) are elevated in Interstitial Cystitis/Bladder Pain Syndrome (IC/BPS) patients with Hunner lesions and also whether urine MIF is elevated in other forms of inflammatory cystitis. (2) Methods: Urine samples were assayed for MIF by ELISA. Urine samples from three female groups were examined: IC/BPS patients without (N=55) and with Hunner lesions (N=43); Non-IC/BPS patients (N=100; control group; no history of IC/BPS; cancer or recent bacterial cystitis). Urine samples from three male groups were examined: patients with bacterial cystitis (N=50), radiation cystitis (N=18) and non-cystitis patients (N = 119; control group; negative for bacterial cystitis). (3) Results: Urine MIF (Mean MIF pg/ml +/- SEM) was increased in female IC/BPS patients with Hunner lesions (2159 +/- 435.3) compared to IC/BPS patients without Hunner lesions (460 +/- 114.5) or non- IC/BPS patients (414 +/- 47.6). Receiver-operating curve analyses showed that urine MIF levels discriminated between the two IC groups (AUC = 72%; CI: 61-82%). Male patients with bacterial and radiation cystitis had elevated urine MIF levels (2839 +/- 757.1 and 4404 +/- 1548.1; respectively) compared to non-cystitis patients (681 +/- 75.2). (4) Conclusions: Urine MIF is elevated in IC/BPS patients with Hunner lesions and also in patients with other bladder inflammatory and painful conditions. MIF also may serve as a noninvasive biomarker to select IC/BPS patients more accurately for endoscopic evaluation and possible anti-inflammatory treatment.
Journal Title: Urology
ISSN: 1527-9995; 0090-4295
Publisher: Elsevier Inc  
Journal Place: United States
Date Published: 2018
Language: eng
DOI/URL:
Notes: LR: 20180329; CI: Copyright (c) 2018; GR: R01 DK093496/DK/NIDDK NIH HHS/United States; JID: 0366151; 2017/12/05 00:00 [received]; 2018/01/23 00:00 [revised]; 2018/02/12 00:00 [accepted]; 2018/03/28 06:00 [entrez]; 2018/03/28 06:00 [pubmed]; 2018/03/28 06:00 [medline]; aheadofprint