MIF and Stroke: Previous studies have shown that the concentrations of IL-8/CXCL8 (interleukin 8/chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligand 8)17, MIF (macrophage migration inhibitory factor)18, G-CSF19, HGF (hepatocyte growth factor)20 and VEGF21 were significantly higher in the blood of stroke patients and correlated with disease progression.