Fig. 2.

Representative micrographs for HE-stained sections from Eker rat uterine leiomyomata treated with Ad-HSV1TK/GCV collected 10 (C), 20 (D), and 30 days (E) after treatment versus Ad-LacZ/GCV (B) and vehicle (control)-treated (A) sections. HE sections of the Ad-LacZ/GCV or control-treated leiomyomata showed bundles of smooth muscle cells of various sizes running in different directions. Those cut longitudinally showed cylindrical nuclei, eosinophilic cytoplasm, and ill-defined cell outlines. The nuclei were uniform, and the mitotic figures were absent or sparse. When the cells were transversely cut, their nuclei appeared circular with clear cytoplasm surrounding them. The muscle fibers were intermixed with fibrous connective tissue. HE sections of Ad-HSV1TK/GCV-treated leiomyomata showed bundles of edematous smooth muscle cells; the nuclei were smaller in size and had a rounded oval shape. No mitotic activity was seen, and the cellularity was decreased.