Autophagy in placentas from acidotic newborns: an immunohistochemical study of LC3 expression.
Autophagy is an inducible catabolic process activated during compromised conditions, such as hypoxia. Neonatal encephalopathy (NE) is a syndrome of disturbed neurological function. No absolute prognostic indicators are available at birth to identify neonates at high risk to develop NE. Immunohistochemical staining with LC3 antibody was performed on 40 placentas from uneventful term singleton pregnancies with umbilical artery pH ≤ 7.00 at birth; semi-quantitative analysis was carried-out to estimate autophagy level. 6/40 (15%) neonates developed NE. Placentas from newborns with NE exhibited a higher LC3 expression. Autophagy protein expression in placentas with severe acidosis is a potential marker for poor outcome.
Unit of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Department of Health Sciences, San Paolo Hospital Medical School, University of Milano, Milano, Italy. Electronic address: laura.avagliano@unimi.it.
L
L
Avagliano
L
L
Danti
P
P
Doi
S
S
Felis
M
M
Guala
A
A
Locatelli
I
I
Maffeo
F
F
Mecacci
C
C
Plevani
S
S
Simeone
G P
GP
Bulfamante
D000138:Acidosis / Q000097:blood / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D001343:Autophagy; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D005312:Fetal Blood; D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D020925:Hypoxia-Ischemia, Brain / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007558:Italy / Q000453:epidemiology; D008869:Microtubule-Associated Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D010920:Placenta / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D011247:Pregnancy; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D012307:Risk Factors; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D047929:Term Birth; D014327:Trophoblasts / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D015854:Up-Regulation
D015415:Biomarkers; C477012:MAP1LC3A protein, human; D008869:Microtubule-Associated Proteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger
Acidosis; Autophagy; LC3; Neonatal encephalopathy; Placenta