Method of Treatment and Bioassay Involving Macrophage Migration Inhibitory Factor (MIF) as Cardiac-Derived Myocardial Depressant Factor

One embodiment of the present invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition, which includes a therapeutically effective amount of at least one anti-MIF antibody; and at least one pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. Another embodiment of the present invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition, which includes a therapeutically effective amount at least one anti-CD74 antibody; and at least one pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. Another embodiment of the present invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition, which includes a therapeutically effective amount of at least one anti-TNFR antibody; a therapeutically effective amount of at least one anti-MIF antibody; and at least one pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. Other embodiments of the present invention relate to methods of treating or preventing cardiac dysfunction, cardiodepression, burn injury-associated cardiac dysfunction, improving cardiac function in a subject following acute myocardial infarction, and identifying an MIF inhibitor.