The expression of VCAM-1 was previously shown to be substantially elevated in cardiac tissue of patients with virus-induced DCM compared to patients without evidence of viral or inflammatory etiology of DCM.[10] To study the role of sVCAM-1 as a biomarker for disease severity and progression, we used the EAM model in which cardiac inflammation was induced by immunizing mice with αMyHC together with CFA. Here, VCAM1 is linked to inflammatory response.