Indeed, overexpression of Mp-Ep3α induced activation of TGFβ1 signalling and elevated expression of both VEGF and CX3CR1 in Mps (Fig. 5e–h, Supplementary Fig. 18), and therefore increased PGE2-induced Mp migration (Fig. 5i), promoted infiltration of Ly6Clow Mos/Mps (Fig. 6a–c) and angiogenesis (Fig. 6d–f) in the infarcts, and facilitated cardiac recovery after MI (Fig. 6g). This evidence concerns the gene CX3CR1 and myocardial infarction.