Analysis of myocardial ‘stress genes', hallmarks of cardiac hypertrophy and failure, in the left ventricles by qPCR also showed a significant upregulation of β-Myosin heavy chain (Mhy7) (Supplementary Fig. 3e), Brain Natriuretic Peptide (Nppb) (Supplementary Fig. 3f) and Atrial Natriuretic Factor (Nppa) (Supplementary Fig. 3g) mRNAs for the PBS- but not for the abatacept-treated groups. This evidence concerns the gene NPPA and cardiac hypertrophy.