Loss of Macrophage Migration Inhibitory Factor (MIF) Alters the Timing of Ventral Prostate Maturation in Mice.

This study investigated the contribution of macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) for the development of ventral prostate in pubertal and adult mice. Mice aged 30 or 60 days from C57BL/6 WT (wild-type) and MIF-/-(knockout) strains were studied. Histological analysis, immunohistochemistry (smooth muscle alpha-actin, vimentin, PCNA, WNT5a), serum testosterone, and western blotting for ERK1/2 were performed. Thirty-day-old MIF-/- mice exhibited higher testosterone serum levels, and the ventral prostate presented enlarged luminal area as well as decreased collagen and smooth muscle cell content. Regarding cell proliferation, there was an important reduction in MIF-/- mice of both ages. In addition, MIF-/- 30 mice presented elevated ERK activation and WNT5a scores in the prostate. This study showed that developmental change expected only at adulthood of prostate is already very evident at 30 days of age in MIF-/- mice, anticipating the pubertal development. Thus, MIF has a stimulative role in proliferation and also modulates androgenic stimuli in the prostate, which can contribute to gland development from puberty to adulthood.