MIF signaling blocking alleviates airway inflammation and airway epithelial barrier disruption in a HDM-induced asthma model

•MIF may be an important contributor in airway inflammation and airway epithelial barrier disruption of HDM-induced asthma.•The local application of a MIF antagonist ISO-1 prevents HDM-induced airway epithelial barrier disruption and airway inflammation in mice, and the aerobic glycolysis pathways may be involved in this process.•In 16HBE cells HDM can promote MIF expression to induce an enhanced aerobic glycolysis which then cause the production of Th2-associated cytokines and airway epithelial barrier disruption.