Pharmacological CCR1 blockade limits infarct size and preserves cardiac function in a chronic model of myocardial ischemia/reperfusion.

This study sought to determine the chronic effects of pharmacological blockade of the chemokine receptor CCR1 via application of the potent, selective antagonist BX471 in a murine model of myocardial ischemia/reperfusion (I/R). CCR1 is a prominent receptor in mediating inflammatory leukocyte recruitment. The intense inflammatory response is considered to be a key component of cardiac remodelling. Thus, limiting the post-reperfusion inflammatory pattern seems to be a promising therapeutic approach in limiting reperfusion injury. Previously, we demonstrated that CCR1-/- mice exhibit attenuated infarct expansion and preserved LV function in a chronic model of myocardial no-reflow infarction due to an abrogated inflammatory response.