Potential Decontamination of Drinking Water Pathogens through k-Carrageenan Integrated Green Bottle Fly Bio-Synthesized Silver Nanoparticles.

The wide distribution of infections-related pathogenic microbes is almost related to the contamination of food and/or drinking water. The current applied treatments face some limitations. In the current study, k-carrageenan polymer was used as supporting material for the proper/unreleased silver nanoparticles that showed strong antimicrobial activity against six pathogenic bacteria and yeast. The bio-extract of the pupa of green bottle fly was used as the main agent for the synthesis of silver nanoparticles. The qualitative investigation of biologically synthesized silver nanoparticles was determined using UV-Vis spectrophotometric analysis; however, the size of nanoparticles was in range of 30-100 nm, as confirmed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and particle size analyzer. The proper integration of silver nanoparticles into the polymeric substrate was also characterized through fourier transform infrared (FT-IR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), SEM, and tensile strength. The antimicrobial activity of k-carrageenan/silver nanoparticles against Gram positive, Gram negative, and yeast pathogens was highly effective. These results indicate the probable exploitation of the polymeric/nanoparticles composite as an extra stage in water purification systems in homes or even at water treatment plants.

Sex- and age-related differences in the inflammatory properties of cardiac fibroblasts: impact on the cardiosplenic axis and cardiac fibrosis.

Background: Age and sex are prominent risk factors for heart failure and determinants of structural and functional changes of the heart. Cardiac fibroblasts (cFB) are beyond their task as extracellular matrix-producing cells further recognized as inflammation-supporting cells. The present study aimed to evaluate the impact of sex and age on the inflammatory potential of cFB and its impact on the cardiosplenic axis and cardiac fibrosis. Materials: Left ventricles (LV) of 3- and 12-months old male and female C57BL/6J mice were harvested for immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence and cFB outgrowth culture and the spleen for flow cytometry. LV-derived cFB and respective supernatants were characterized. Results: LV-derived cFB from 3-months old male mice exhibited a higher inflammatory capacity, as indicated by a higher gene expression of CC-chemokine ligand (CCL) 2, and CCL7 compared to cFB derived from 3-months old female mice. The resulting higher CCL2/chemokine C-X3-C motif ligand (Cx3CL1) and CCL7/Cx3CL1 protein ratio in cell culture supernatants of 3-months old male vs. female cFB was reflected by a higher migration of Ly6Chigh monocytes towards supernatant from 3-months old male vs. female cFB. In vivo a lower ratio of splenic pro-inflammatory Ly6Chigh to anti-inflammatory Ly6Clow monocytes was found in 3-months old male vs. female mice, suggesting a higher attraction of Ly6Chigh compared to Ly6Clow monocytes towards the heart in male vs. female mice. In agreement, the percentage of pro-inflammatory CD68+ CD206- macrophages was higher in the LV of male vs. female mice at this age, whereas the percentage of anti-inflammatory CD68+ CD206+ macrophages was higher in the LV of 3-months old female mice compared to age-matched male animals. In parallel, the percentage of splenic TGF-ß+ cells was higher in both 3- and 12-months old female vs. male mice, as further reflected by the higher pro-fibrotic potential of female vs. male splenocytes at both ages. In addition, female mice displayed a higher total LV collagen content compared to age-matched male mice, whereby collagen content of female cFB was higher compared to male cFB at the age of 12-months. Conclusion: Age- and sex-dependent differences in cardiac fibrosis and inflammation are related to age- and sex-dependent variations in the inflammatory properties of cardiac fibroblasts.

Colchicine prevents disease progression in viral myocarditis via modulating the NLRP3 inflammasome in the cardiosplenic axis.

AIM: The acute phase of a coxsackievirus 3 (CVB3)-induced myocarditis involves direct toxic cardiac effects and the systemic activation of the immune system, including the cardiosplenic axis. Consequently, the nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor pyrin domain-containing-3 (NLRP3) inflammasome pathway is activated, which plays a role in disease pathogenesis and progression. The anti-inflammatory drug colchicine exerts its effects, in part, via reducing NLRP3 activity, and has been shown to improve several cardiac diseases, including acute coronary syndrome and pericarditis. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the potential of colchicine to improve experimental CVB3-induced myocarditis. METHODS AND RESULTS: C57BL6/j mice were intraperitoneally injected with 1 × 105 plaque forming units of CVB3. After 24 h, mice were treated with colchicine (5 µmol/kg body weight) or phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) via oral gavage (p.o.). Seven days post infection, cardiac function was haemodynamically characterized via conductance catheter measurements. Blood, the left ventricle (LV) and spleen were harvested for subsequent analyses. In vitro experiments on LV-derived fibroblasts (FB) and HL-1 cells were performed to further evaluate the anti-(fibro)inflammatory and anti-apoptotic effects of colchicine via gene expression analysis, Sirius Red assay, and flow cytometry. CVB3 + colchicine mice displayed improved LV function compared with CVB3 + PBS mice, paralleled by a 4.7-fold (P < 0.01) and 1.7-fold (P < 0.001) reduction in LV CVB3 gene expression and cardiac troponin-I levels in the serum, respectively. Evaluation of components of the NLRP3 inflammasome revealed an increased percentage of apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a CARD domain (ASC)-expressing, caspase-1-expressing, and interleukin-1ß-expressing cells in the myocardium and in the spleen of CVB3 + PBS vs. control mice, which was reduced in CVB3 + colchicine compared with CVB3 + PBS mice. This was accompanied by 1.4-fold (P < 0.0001), 1.7-fold (P < 0.0001), and 1.7-fold (P < 0.0001) lower numbers of cardiac dendritic cells, natural killer cells, and macrophages, respectively, in CVB3 + colchicine compared with CVB3 + PBS mice. A 1.9-fold (P < 0.05) and 4.6-fold (P < 0.001) reduced cardiac gene expression of the fibrotic markers, Col1a1 and lysyl oxidase, respectively, was detected in CVB3 + colchicine mice compared with CVB3 + PBS animals, and reflected by a 2.2-fold (P < 0.05) decreased Collagen I/III protein ratio. Colchicine further reduced Col3a1 mRNA and collagen protein expression in CVB3-infected FB and lowered apoptosis and viral progeny release in CVB3-infected HL-1 cells. In both CVB3 FB and HL-1 cells, colchicine down-regulated the NLRP3 inflammasome-related components ASC, caspase-1, and IL-1ß. CONCLUSIONS: Colchicine improves LV function in CVB3-induced myocarditis, involving a decrease in cardiac and splenic NLRP3 inflammasome activity, without exacerbation of CVB3 load.

Antioxidant and antibacterial polyelectrolyte wound dressing based on chitosan/hyaluronan/phosphatidylcholine dihydroquercetin.

Antioxidant and antimicrobial wound dressings are the most favorable for acute and chronic wounds treatment. Herein, we formulated a multifunctional polyelectrolyte wound dressing membrane on the basis of chitosan (Ch) and hyaluronan (HA) enhanced by phosphatidylcholine dihydroquercetin (PCDQ). Physicochemical properties and microstructures of fabricated films were investigated adopting Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and scanning electron microscope (SEM). Furthermore, water uptakes, wettability profiles, surface roughness, and mechanical characteristics of the developed membranes were studied. The developed wound dressing revealed free radical scavenging potency, hemocompatibility with a tendency to enhance blood clotting. Furthermore, incorporation of PCDQ significantly promoted the antibacterial and anti-inflammatory activities of Ch/HA/PCDQ. Moreover, Ch/HA/PCDQ films exhibited cellular compatibility towards mouse fibroblast cells. The capability of Ch/HA/PCDQ to promote wound healing was evaluated using adult Wistar albino female rats. The in vivo findings demonstrated that Ch/HA/PCDQ films significantly ameliorated mouse full-thickness wounds as evidenced by a reduction in the wound area. Moreover, histological examinations of wounds dressed with Ch/HA/PCDQ illustrated a prominent re-epithelialization compared with wounds handled with the cotton gauze and Ch/HA dressings, exposing the efficiency of PCDQ. These findings emphasized that a Ch/HA/PCDQ membrane has outstanding potential for wound healing and skin regeneration.

Impact of Syndecan-2-Selected Mesenchymal Stromal Cells on the Early Onset of Diabetic Cardiomyopathy in Diabetic db/db Mice.

Background: Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) are an attractive cell type for cell therapy given their immunomodulatory, anti-fibrotic, and endothelial-protective features. The heparin sulfate proteoglycan, syndecan-2/CD362, has been identified as a functional marker for MSC isolation, allowing one to obtain a homogeneous cell product that meets regulatory requirements for clinical use. We previously assessed the impact of wild-type (WT), CD362-, and CD362+ MSCs on local changes in protein distribution in left ventricular (LV) tissue and on LV function in an experimental model of early-onset diabetic cardiomyopathy. The present study aimed to further explore their impact on mechanisms underlying diastolic dysfunction in this model. Materials: For this purpose, 1 × 106 WT, CD362-, or CD362+ MSCs were intravenously (i.v.) injected into 20-week-old diabetic BKS.Cg-m+/+Leprdb/BomTac, i.e., db/db mice. Control animals (db+/db) were injected with the equivalent volume of phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) alone. After 4 weeks, mice were sacrificed for further analysis. Results: Treatment with all three MSC populations had no impact on blood glucose levels in db/db mice. WT, CD362-, and CD362+ MSC application restored LV nitric oxide (NO) and cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) levels in db/db mice, which correlated with a reduction in cardiomyocyte stiffness. Furthermore, all stromal cells were able to increase arteriole density in db/db mice. The effect of CD362+ MSCs on NO and cGMP levels, cardiomyocyte stiffness, and arteriole density was less pronounced than in mice treated with WT or CD362- MSCs. Analysis of collagen I and III protein expression revealed that fibrosis had not yet developed at this stage of experimental diabetic cardiomyopathy. All MSCs reduced the number of cardiac CD3+ and CD68+ cells in db/db mice, whereas only splenocytes from CD362-- and CD362+-db/db mice exhibited a lower pro-fibrotic potential compared to splenocytes from db/db mice. Conclusion: CD362+ MSC application decreased cardiomyocyte stiffness, increased myocardial NO and cGMP levels, and increased arteriole density, although to a lesser extent than WT and CD362- MSCs in an experimental model of early-onset diabetic cardiomyopathy without cardiac fibrosis. These findings suggest that the degree in improvement of cardiomyocyte stiffness following CD362+ MSC application was insufficient to improve diastolic function.

Chitosan functionalized AgNPs for efficient removal of Imidacloprid pesticide through a pressure-free design.

Wide dissemination of pesticides for protecting plants against pests has resulted in high production of un-infected crops but higher environmental pollution. High percentages of pesticides are released to the environment and finally use water as the final destination. The current study is concerning by removal of Imidacloprid pesticide from water using pressure-free passage through polymeric membrane integrated design. Both of chitosan and chitosan functionalized silver nanoparticles (AgNPs @chitosan) membranes were prepared, characterized and applied as adsorbent matrix for Imidacloprid. SEM, TEM and PSA analysis revealed the biosynthesis of AgNPs in the range of 25-50 nm. However, SEM and FTIR analysis revealed the proper formation of chitosan membrane and its proper functionalization with silver nanoparticles. Both of chitosan and AgNPs @chitosan membranes succeeded to remove 40 and 85% of Imidacloprid at slightly acidic pH, respectively. Moreover, the amount of removed Imidacloprid was proportional with the amount of its initial concentration indicating the successful removal of Imidacloprid by AgNPs @chitosan membrane even at higher pesticide concentrations. The obtained results indicate the promising use of AgNPs @chitosan membranes for removal of Imidacloprid pesticide from contaminated water depending on the pressure-free design that lacks external energy support.

miR-375- and miR-1-Regulated Coxsackievirus B3 Has No Pancreas and Heart Toxicity But Strong Antitumor Efficiency in Colorectal Carcinomas.

Coxsackievirus B3 (CVB3) has strong oncolytic activity in colorectal carcinoma but it also infects the pancreas and the heart. To improve the safety of the virus, here we investigated whether pancreas and cardiac toxicity can be prevented by insertion of target sites (TS), which are complementary to miR-375 and miR-1 into the viral genome. Although miR-375 and miR-1 are abundantly expressed in the pancreas and in the heart, respectively, their expression levels are low in colorectal carcinomas, which allows the carcinomas to be selectively attacked. To investigate the importance of the microRNAs, two viruses were engineered, H3N-375TS containing only miR-375TS and H3N-375/1TS containing miR-375TS and miR-1TS. In vitro, both viruses replicated in and lysed colorectal carcinoma cells, similar to a nontargeted control virus H3N-39TS, whereas they were strongly attenuated in cell lines transiently or endogenously expressing the corresponding microRNAs. In vivo, the control virus H3N-39TS induced strong infection of the pancreas and the heart, which led to fatal disease within 4 days after a single intratumoral virus injection in mice xenografted with colorectal DLD-1 cell tumors. In contrast, three intratumoral injections of H3N-375TS or H3N-375/1TS failed to induce virus-induced sickness. In the animals, both viruses were completely ablated from the pancreas and H3N-375/1TS was also ablated from the heart, whereas the cardiac titers of H3N-375TS were strongly reduced. Long-term investigations of the DLD-1 tumor model confirmed lack of virus-induced adverse effects in H3N-375TS- and H3N-375/1TS-treated mice. There was no mortality, and the pancreas and the heart were free of pathological alterations. Regarding the therapeutic efficiency, the treated animals showed high and long-lasting H3N-375TS and H3N-375/1TS persistence in the tumor and significantly slower tumor growth. These data demonstrate that miR-375- and miR-1-mediated virus detargeting from the pancreas and heart is a highly effective strategy to prevent toxicity of oncolytic CVB3.

Speckle-tracking echocardiography combined with imaging mass spectrometry assesses region-dependent alterations.

Left ventricular (LV) contraction is characterized by shortening and thickening of longitudinal and circumferential fibres. To date, it is poorly understood how LV deformation is altered in the pathogenesis of streptozotocin (STZ)-induced type 1 diabetes mellitus-associated diabetic cardiomyopathy and how this is associated with changes in cardiac structural composition. To gain further insights in these LV alterations, eight-week-old C57BL6/j mice were intraperitoneally injected with 50 mg/kg body weight STZ during 5 consecutive days. Six, 9, and 12 weeks (w) post injections, echocardiographic analysis was performed using a Vevo 3100 device coupled to a 30-MHz linear-frequency transducer. Speckle-tracking echocardiography (STE) demonstrated impaired global longitudinal peak strain (GLS) in STZ versus control mice at all time points. 9w STZ animals displayed an impaired global circumferential peak strain (GCS) versus 6w and 12w STZ mice. They further exhibited decreased myocardial deformation behaviour of the anterior and posterior base versus controls, which was paralleled with an elevated collagen I/III protein ratio. Additionally, hypothesis-free proteome analysis by imaging mass spectrometry (IMS) identified regional- and time-dependent changes of proteins affecting sarcomere mechanics between STZ and control mice. In conclusion, STZ-induced diabetic cardiomyopathy changes global cardiac deformation associated with alterations in cardiac sarcomere proteins.

Enhancement of wound healing by chitosan/hyaluronan polyelectrolyte membrane loaded with glutathione: in vitro and in vivo evaluations.

The inflammation of chronic wounds generally causes delaying their healing process. The present work aims to formulate a wound dressing polyelectrolyte membrane based on chitosan (Ch) and sodium hyaluronate (HA) loaded with glutathione (GSH). The membrane types (Ch/HA and Ch/HA/GSH) were examined by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). The material properties were further investigated using thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Physical characteristics of the prepared membranes, such as wettability, surface roughness, and mechanical properties were determined by standard experimental methods. In vitro assays were used to evaluate the haemocompatibility, thrombogenicity, and cytotoxicity of the membranes. The wound healing examined using a standard rat model exhibited a progress at exploiting the Ch/HA/GSH-type membranes compared to a bicomponent Ch/HA membrane or a "dry" healing wound. Histological examination of the recovered skin confirmed the visual observations. In conclusion, in vivo study results assert that Ch/HA/GSH is a proper wound-dressing for healing the chronic skin wounds.

Development of a new mouse model for coxsackievirus-induced myocarditis by attenuating coxsackievirus B3 virulence in the pancreas.

AIMS: The coxsackievirus B3 (CVB3) mouse myocarditis model is the standard model for investigation of virus-induced myocarditis but the pancreas, rather than the heart, is the most susceptible organ in mouse. The aim of this study was to develop a CVB3 mouse myocarditis model in which animals develop myocarditis while attenuating viral infection of the pancreas and the development of severe pancreatitis. METHODS AND RESULTS: We developed the recombinant CVB3 variant H3N-375TS by inserting target sites (TS) of miR-375, which is specifically expressed in the pancreas, into the 3'UTR of the genome of the pancreo- and cardiotropic CVB3 variant H3. In vitro evaluation showed that H3N-375TS was suppressed in pancreatic miR-375-expressing EndoC-ßH1 cells >5 log10, whereas its replication was not suppressed in isolated primary embryonic mouse cardiomyocytes. In vivo, intraperitoneal (i.p.) administration of H3N-375TS to NMRI mice did not result in pancreatic or cardiac infection. In contrast, intravenous (i.v.) administration of H3N-375TS to NMRI and Balb/C mice resulted in myocardial infection and acute and chronic myocarditis, whereas the virus was not detected in the pancreas and the pancreatic tissue was not damaged. Acute myocarditis was characterized by myocardial injury, inflammation with mononuclear cells, induction of proinflammatory cytokines, and detection of replicating H3N-375TS in the heart. Mice with chronic myocarditis showed myocardial fibrosis and persistence of H3N-375TS genomic RNA but no replicating virus in the heart. Moreover, H3N-375TS infected mice showed distinctly less suffering compared with mice that developed pancreatitis and myocarditis after i.p. or i.v application of control virus. CONCLUSION: In this study, we demonstrate that by use of the miR-375-sensitive CVB3 variant H3N-375TS, CVB3 myocarditis can be established without the animals developing severe systemic infection and pancreatitis. As the H3N-375TS myocarditis model depends on pancreas-attenuated H3N-375TS, it can easily be used in different mouse strains and for various applications.

Chitosan/hyaluronan/edaravone membranes for anti-inflammatory wound dressing: In vitro and in vivo evaluation studies.

A novel wound healing material composed of chitosan (Ch) and hyaluronan (HA) boosted with edaravone (Ed) as an anti-inflammatory drug was developed. The fabricated membranes were verified using FT-IR, and the thermal properties were estimated employing TGA instrument. Moreover, Physical characterizations of the prepared membranes demonstrated a decrease in the membrane wettability, whereas an increase in membrane roughness was monitored due to the effect of edaravone supplementation. A comparative study of free-radical scavenging activity of edaravone itself was carried out by two in vitro approaches: uninhibited/inhibited hyaluronan degradation and decolorization of ABTS methods in normal and simulated inflammation condition (acidic condition). Accordingly, the scavenging activity of edaravone was significantly diminished to OH and peroxy-/alkoxy-type radicals in acidic conditions in compared to the neutral reactions. The biochemical studies evidenced the haemocompatibility of the examined membranes. The consequence of membranes composed of Ch/HA/Ed on the wound healing of the rat's skin was studied, and the macroscopic and microscopic investigations revealed remarkable healing at 21st day post-surgery compared with injuries treated with cotton gauze as a negative control in addition to Ch/HA membrane without edaravone. For these reasons, the Ch/HA/Ed membrane could be implemented as wound dressing material.

Mesenchymal stromal cells inhibit NLRP3 inflammasome activation in a model of Coxsackievirus B3-induced inflammatory cardiomyopathy.

Inflammation in myocarditis induces cardiac injury and triggers disease progression to heart failure. NLRP3 inflammasome activation is a newly identified amplifying step in the pathogenesis of myocarditis. We previously have demonstrated that mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC) are cardioprotective in Coxsackievirus B3 (CVB3)-induced myocarditis. In this study, MSC markedly inhibited left ventricular (LV) NOD2, NLRP3, ASC, caspase-1, IL-1ß, and IL-18 mRNA expression in CVB3-infected mice. ASC protein expression, essential for NLRP3 inflammasome assembly, increased upon CVB3 infection and was abrogated in MSC-treated mice. Concomitantly, CVB3 infection in vitro induced NOD2 expression, NLRP3 inflammasome activation and IL-1ß secretion in HL-1 cells, which was abolished after MSC supplementation. The inhibitory effect of MSC on NLRP3 inflammasome activity in HL-1 cells was partly mediated via secretion of the anti-oxidative protein stanniocalcin-1. Furthermore, MSC application in CVB3-infected mice reduced the percentage of NOD2-, ASC-, p10- and/or IL-1ß-positive splenic macrophages, natural killer cells, and dendritic cells. The suppressive effect of MSC on inflammasome activation was associated with normalized expression of prominent regulators of myocardial contractility and fibrosis to levels comparable to control mice. In conclusion, MSC treatment in myocarditis could be a promising strategy limiting the adverse consequences of cardiac and systemic NLRP3 inflammasome activation.

Mesenchymal Stromal Cells Modulate Monocytes Trafficking in Coxsackievirus B3-Induced Myocarditis.

Mesenchymal stromal cell (MSC) application in Coxsackievirus B3 (CVB3)-induced myocarditis reduces myocardial inflammation and fibrosis, exerts prominent extra-cardiac immunomodulation, and improves heart function. Although the abovementioned findings demonstrate the benefit of MSC application, the mechanism of the MSC immunomodulatory effects leading to a final cardioprotective outcome in viral myocarditis remains poorly understood. Monocytes are known to be a trigger of myocardial tissue inflammation. The present study aims at investigating the direct effect of MSC on the mobilization and trafficking of monocytes to the heart in CVB3-induced myocarditis. One day post CVB3 infection, C57BL/6 mice were intravenously injected with 1 x 106 MSC and sacrificed 6 days later for molecular biology and flow cytometry analysis. MSC application reduced the severity of myocarditis, and heart and blood pro-inflammatory Ly6Chigh and Ly6Cmiddle monocytes, while those were retained in the spleen. Anti-inflammatory Ly6Clow monocytes increased in the blood, heart, and spleen of MSC-treated CVB3 mice. CVB3 infection induced splenic myelopoiesis, while MSC application slightly diminished the spleen myelopoietic activity in CVB3 mice. Left ventricular (LV) mRNA expression of the chemokines monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP)-1, MCP-3, CCL5, the adhesion molecules intercellular adhesion molecule-1, vascular cell adhesion molecule-1, the pro-inflammatory cytokines interleukin-6, interleukin-12, tumor necrosis factor-α, the pro-fibrotic transforming growth factorß1, and circulating MCP-1 and MCP-3 levels decreased in CVB3 MSC mice, while LV stromal cell-derived factor-1α RNA expression and systemic levels of fractalkine were increased in CVB3 MSC mice. MSC application in CVB3-induced myocarditis modulates monocytes trafficking to the heart and could be a promising strategy for the resolution of cardiac inflammation and prevention of the disease progression. Stem Cells Translational Medicine 2017;6:1249-1261.

CX3CR1 knockout aggravates Coxsackievirus B3-induced myocarditis.

Studies on inflammatory disorders elucidated the pivotal role of the CX3CL1/CX3CR1 axis with respect to the pathophysiology and diseases progression. Coxsackievirus B3 (CVB3)-induced myocarditis is associated with severe cardiac inflammation, which may progress to heart failure. We therefore investigated the influence of CX3CR1 ablation in the model of acute myocarditis, which was induced by inoculation with 5x105 plaque forming units of CVB3 (Nancy strain) in either CX3CR1-/- or C57BL6/j (WT) mice. Seven days after infection, myocardial inflammation, remodeling, and titin expression and phosphorylation were examined by immunohistochemistry, real-time PCR and Pro-Q diamond stain. Cardiac function was assessed by tip catheter. Compared to WT CVB3 mice, CX3CR1-/- CVB3 mice exhibited enhanced left ventricular expression of inflammatory cytokines and chemokines, which was associated with an increase of immune cell infiltration/presence. This shift towards a pro-inflammatory immune response further resulted in increased cardiac fibrosis and cardiomyocyte apoptosis, which was reflected by an impaired cardiac function in CX3CR1-/- CVB3 compared to WT CVB3 mice. These findings demonstrate a cardioprotective role of CX3CR1 in CVB3-infected mice and indicate the relevance of the CX3CL1/CX3CR1 system in CVB3-induced myocarditis.