Increased expression of CCR5 in experimental autoimmune myocarditis and reduced severity induced by anti-CCR5 monoclonal antibody.

Experimental autoimmune myocarditis (EAM) is a T-cell-mediated autoimmune disease. CCR5, which is expressed mostly on activated T cells and monocytes/macrophages, are potent chemotactic factors for autoimmune myocarditis. We investigated the role of CCR5 in the formation of experimental autoimmune myocarditis.