Viral myocarditis involves the generation of autoreactive T cells with multiple antigen specificities that localize in lymphoid and non-lymphoid organs in the mouse model of CVB3 infection.

•CVB3 contains mimicry epitopes for ANT, SERCA2a and TNI, but none induced cross-reactive T cells.•CVB3 infection can lead to the generation of T cells with specificities for multiple antigens.•SERCA2a-reactive T cells were pathogenic.•Autoreactive T cells were found localized in the livers of CVB3-infected animals.