G-CSF effects on stem cell differentiation. T. cruzi-infected mice were treated with G-CSF during acute (A–B) and chronic (C–D) stages. (A & C) mRNA levels for GATA-4, MEF2C, and desmin were determined by real time RT-PCR, and normalized against β-actin. (B & D) Western blotting and densitometric analysis for GATA-4, MEF2C and G-CSFR in acutely (B) and chronically (D) infected myocardium. Expression levels were normalized against α-tubulin signal. Data are presented as mean ± SD (n = 4, *p < 0.05, vs. normal; #p < 0.05, vs. infected). NI: uninfected control, NI + GCSF: uninfected/G-CSF-treated, I: infected, I + GCSF: infected/G-CSF treated.