MIF and systemic lupus erythematosus: More in particular, with regard to the role of MIF in SLE, preclinical studies have shown that negating the action of endogenous MIF ameliorate the course of SLE-like syndrome in mice and that in peripheral blood mononuclear cells, MIF selectively induces the production of the proinflammatory cytokines, IL-6 and TNF-alpha.