Multiple DTUs coexist in patients with Chagas disease. The frequent finding of T. cruzi I associated with cardiac damage was astounding, revealing its pathogenic role in cChHD at the southern cone.

The neuregulin receptor tyrosine kinase Erb-b4, initially linked to early cardiac development, is shown here to play a critical role in adult cardiac function. In wild-type mice, Erb-b4 protein localized to Z lines and to intercalated disks, suggesting a role in subcellular and intercellular communications of cardiomyocytes. Conditional inactivation of erb-b4 in ventricular muscle cells led to a severe dilated cardiomyopathy, characterized by thinned ventricular walls with eccentric hypertrophy, reduced contractility, and delayed conduction. This cardiac dysfunction may account for premature death in adult erb-b4-knockout mice. This study establishes a critical role for Erb-b4 in the maintenance of normal postnatal cardiac structure and function.

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To cite this article: Glembotsky AC, Bluteau D, Espasandin YR, Goette NP, Marta RF, Marin Oyarzun CP, Korin L, Lev PR, Laguens RP, Molinas FC, Raslova H, Heller PG. Mechanisms underlying platelet function defect in a pedigree with familial platelet disorder with a predisposition to acute myelogenous leukemia: potential role for candidate RUNX1 targets. J Thromb Haemost 2014; 12: 761-72 Summary. Background: Familial platelet disorder with a predisposition to acute myelogenous leukemia (FPD/ AML) is an inherited platelet disorder caused by a germline RUNX1 mutation and characterized by thrombocytopenia, a platelet function defect, and leukemia predisposition. The mechanisms underlying FPD/AML platelet dysfunction remain incompletely clarified. We aimed to determine the contribution of platelet structural abnormalities and defective activation pathways to the platelet phenotype. In addition, by using a candidate gene approach, we sought to identify potential RUNX1-regulated genes involved in these defects. Methods: Lumiaggregometry, a-granule and dense granule content and release, platelet ultrastructure, a IIb b 3 integrin activation and outside-in signaling were assessed in members of one FPD/AML pedigree. Expression levels of candidate genes were measured and luciferase reporter assays and chromatin immunoprecipitation were performed to study NF-E2 regulation by RUNX1. Results: A severe decrease in platelet aggregation, defective a IIb b 3 integrin activation and combined ad storage pool deficiency were found.However, whereas the number of dense granules was markedly reduced, a-granule content was heterogeneous. A trend towards decreased platelet spreading was found, and b 3 integrin phosphorylation was impaired, reflecting altered outside-in signaling. A decrease in the level of transcription factor p45 NF-E2 was shown in platelet RNA and lysates, and other deregulated genes included RAB27B and MYL9. RUNX1 was shown to bind to the NF-E2 promoter in primary megakaryocytes, and wild-type RUNX1, but not FPD/AML mutants, was able to activate NF-E2 expression. Conclusions: The FPD/AML platelet function defect represents a complex trait, and RUNX1 orchestrates platelet function by regulating diverse aspects of this process. This study highlights the RUNX1 target NF-E2 as part of the molecular network by which RUNX1 regulates platelet biogenesis and function.