Fig. 4

Right ventricular hypertrophy is ameliorated after Anc.80AC gene therapy in rats 8 weeks post-PH development. Representative hematoxylin–eosin staining is shown for: A Sham animals with normal RV structural organization. B PH.Anc80.Null. There is focally extensive replacement of myocardium by fibrous tissue with multifocal aggregates of lymphocytes and plasma cells. Also, there is degeneration of the myocytes adjacent to the fibrotic area characterized by swollen sarcoplasm, hypereosinophilia. C PH. Saline. Myocytes consistently had enlarged, hypertrophic and hyperchromatic nuclei, and myofibrillar disarray included cellular interplaying in various direction. Additionally, there is severe degeneration of myocytes with loss of cross striations. D PH.Anc80.AC. There is minimal to mild myxomatous change characterized by deposition of scant to mild amounts of amphophilic material and degeneration of few myocytes immediately adjacent. Rare lymphocytes are present in affected areas. Mild RV hypertrophic changes in this group of animals were seen. Bar scale: 100 μm and 200 μm