ITGAX and inflammatory response: Our previous studies demonstrated that HF is associated with a massive accumulation and activation of macrophages, CD11c+ dendritic cells, and activation of T cells in the lungs, while modulation of inflammatory response was effective in attenuating chronic HF-induced pulmonary inflammation, remodeling, and RV hypertrophy in the mice with pre-existing HF (10, 23, 24).