Moreover, similar to the myocardium, where continuous infusion of CXCR4 antagonists in mice after AMI exacerbated cardiac dysfunction 23, chronic CXCR4 blockade in both rats and humans afflicted with aberration of the renal microvessels also led to augmented renal decline and progressive renal fibrosis 26. Here, CXCR4 is linked to renal fibrosis.