ITGAM and viral encephalitis: CD11b+Ly-6Chi monocytes are believed to play an important role during CNS inflammation as the circulating precursors of brain macrophages, DCs, and arguably microglia in various disease models, such as experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), viral encephalitis, and stroke4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12.