This may well explain macrophage‐mediated renal inflammation as a key process in the pathogenesis of AKI.9 MIF deficiency protected against IRI‐AKI by inhibiting CD74/TLR4‐NF‐κB‐dependent up‐regulation of MCP‐1, TNF‐α, IL‐1β, IL‐6, CXCL15 (IL‐8) and iNOS and by blocking the infiltration of neutrophils, macrophages and T cells to the injured kidney. Here, CD74 is linked to acute kidney injury.