engleski

Trophoblast apoptosis in placentas from pregnancies complicated by preeclampsia

Aims: to assess trophoblast apoptosis separately in cytotrophoblast, syncytiotrophoblast, total villous trophoblast and syncytial knots, as well as to investigate the expression of apoptotic factors Fas ligand (FasL), Bcl-2 and proliferation marker Ki-67 in trophoblast of placentas from preeclamptic patients. Methods: The study included placental samples from 25 preeclamptic and 25 normal pregnancies. For the detection of apoptosis and proliferation antibody M30 and antibody against Ki-67 antigen were used. Expression of Fas ligand and Bcl-2 was assessed using semi quantitative HSCORE method. Syncytial knots were expressed as the number of syncytial knots per individual villus and as the total number of syncytial knots in each placental sample. Results: apoptosis in all stages of trophoblast differentiation, number of syncytial knots per individual villus and the total number of syncytial knots were significantly higher in preeclamptic placentas than in control group placentas. Fas ligand expression was significantly less, and Bcl-2 expression significantly greater in the villus trophoblast among the study subjects compared with controls. There was no difference in the trophoblast proliferation between groups. Conclusion: our findings might suggests that increased apoptosis and syncytial knots formation combined with reduced Fas ligand expression could be involved in pathophysiological mechanisms of preeclampsia.

Preeclampsia; placenta; apoptosis; Fas ligand; Bcl-2; Ki-67; syncytial knots

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