Macrophage migration inhibitory factor contributes to hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction in rats

► Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) is an important pro-inflammatory cytokine. ► MIF expression was increased in the pulmonary arteries exposed to hypoxia. ► MIF enhanced vasoconstriction of pulmonary artery elicited by agonist. ► PKC, p38 and ERK1/2 signal pathways may be involved in MIF effects.