Genetic factors contributing to viral myocarditis

SUMMARYViral myocarditis is an inflammatory disease of the heart muscle caused by diverse viral pathogens and shaped by complex interactions between viruses and host responses, ultimately leading to myocardial inflammation and dysfunction. While environmental factors contribute to disease onset, growing evidence highlights a central role for host genetic determinants in influencing susceptibility, severity, and clinical outcomes. In addition, sex-specific differences have emerged as important modifiers of immune responses and disease progression. This review examines the genetic architecture of viral myocarditis, integrating human genetic studies with mechanistic insights derived largely from coxsackievirus B3 (CVB3) models, which provide the most comprehensive experimental framework for dissecting gene-disease relationships in vivo. By integrating genetic associations with their functional implications, we aim to deepen the understanding of viral myocarditis and inform future research directions and potential therapeutic strategies.