Upon release, it acts in an autocrine and paracrine way to induce production of proinflammatory cytokines84 and it also opposes the anti-inflammatory activity of glucocorticoids.85 It has been suggested to be involved in the pathogenesis of several immune and inflammatory disorders such as asthma, pulmonary fibrosis and rheumatoid arthritis,86, 87 as well as in psychiatric disorders.88, 89 In our previous findings MIF blood levels were higher in depressed patients as compared to controls and this alteration was associated with a poor response to conventional antidepressants.63, 64. The gene discussed is MIF; the disease is pulmonary fibrosis.