Beyond cancer, miR-221’s role in cardiovascular health was first demonstrated in viral myocarditis (VM), where it restricts Coxsackievirus B3 (CVB3) replication and limits immunopathology by targeting pro-viral (interferon regulatory factor 2 (IRF2)) and pro-inflammatory (ETS protooncogene 1 (ETS1), C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 12 (CXCL12)) genes; systemic inhibition of miR-221/-222 in mice exacerbated VM, leading to increased viral load and myocardial necrosis [16]. Here, IRF2 is linked to cancer.