Expression of caspase-3, Bax nad Bcl-2 in placentas from pregnancies complicated by treated and non-treated fetal growth restriction.
BACKGROUND
Fetal growth restriction (FGR) is the reason of high prematurity rate and its later complications. Restriction of utero-placental circulation, which could be changed by IURG treatment, plays the main role in FGR. The results of changes in apoptosis-related genes expression due to FGR treatment may help further in the prevention and treatment of FGR.


METHODS
Caspase-3, Bax and Bcl-2 expressions in normal pregnancies and those complicated by treated and untreated FGR have been compared. The study was conducted in 2005-2006 at the High-Risk Pregnancy Unit of Medical University in Łódź and Kopernik Hospital in Łódź. Caspase-3, Bax and Bcl-2 expressions were assessed by immunohistochemical method Bcl-2 was assessed in the trophoblast, Bax and caspase-3 in the decidua and the trophoblast.


RESULTS
The mean value of Bcl-2 in the trophoblast was 58.8 +/- 12.7 in the FGR-untreated group, 37.0 +/- 0.5 in the FGR-treated group and 65.7 +/- 6.9 in the control group. In the FGR-untreated group the mean value of Bax expression was 60.6 +/- 10.7 in the trophoblast and 32.0 +/- 7.3 in the decidua. In the FGR-treated group the mean value of Bax expression was 42.2 +/- 12.2 in the trophoblast and 20.9 +/- 6.4 in the decidua. In the control group the mean value of Bax expression was 13.6 +/- 2.2 in the trophoblast and 6.6 +/- 6.8 in the decidua. In the FGR-untreated group the mean value of Cpp-32 expression was 40.1 +/- 9.1 in the trophoblast and 42.6 +/- 12.5 in the decidua. In the FGR-treated group the mean value of Cpp-32 expression was 21.3 +/- 6.8 in the trophoblast and 23.7 +/- 5.1 in the decidua. In the control group the mean value of Cpp-32 expression was 13.6 +/- 6.3 in trophoblast and 11.6 +/- 5.3 in the decidua.


CONCLUSIONS
Increased expression of pro-apoptotic proteins in the placenta might be one of the reasons for FGR development. The treatment used in the FGR group decreased the process of apoptosis.
Agata
Karowicz-Bilińska
KB
High Risk Pregnancy Clinic, Medical University Lodz, Łódź, Poland. agakar@interia.pl
Anita
Szczerba
S
Urszula
Kowalska-Koprek
KK
Agnieszka
Nawrocka-Kunecka
NK
Grzegorz
Bartosz
B
D000328:Adult; D017209:Apoptosis; D053148:Caspase 3 / Q000032:analysis / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D005260:Female; D005317:Fetal Growth Retardation / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D010920:Placenta / Q000378:metabolism*; D011044:Poland; D011247:Pregnancy; D018566:Pregnancy, High-Risk; D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 / Q000032:analysis / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D014327:Trophoblasts / Q000378:metabolism; D055815:Young Adult; D051028:bcl-2-Associated X Protein / Q000032:analysis / Q000096:biosynthesis*
C494826:BAX protein, human; D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2; D051028:bcl-2-Associated X Protein; D053148:Caspase 3