title: Analysis of syncytial nuclear aggregates in preeclampsia shows increased sectioning artefacts and decreased inter-villous bridges compared to healthy placentas.
abstract: Syncytial nuclear aggregates (SNAs) are increased in pregnancy complications and include 'true' syncytial knots and inter-villous bridges. Apparent nuclear overlay caused by sectioning artefacts are frequently counted from single sections. Haematoxylin and eosin stained serial sections were assessed for frequency of SNA subtypes in placentas from normal, preeclamptic and fetal growth restricted (FGR) pregnancies. There were more sectioning artefacts and syncytial knots and fewer bridges in samples from preeclampsia compared to controls. There were no significant differences between FGR and control samples. This suggests the villous tree in preeclampsia has less inherent structural support and trophoblast cell dynamics are different.
authors.affiliation: Maternal and Fetal Health Research Centre, Institute of Human Development, University of Manchester, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, St. Mary's Hospital, Central Manchester University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, UK. Electronic address: sarah.coleman@postgrad.manchester.ac.uk.
authors.forename: S J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Calvert
authors.forename: C J P
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Jones
authors.forename: C P
authors.initials: CP
authors.lastname: Sibley
authors.forename: J D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Aplin
authors.forename: A E P
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Heazell
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D016477:Artifacts; D002467:Cell Nucleus / Q000473:pathology*; D053144:Cell Nucleus Shape; D002585:Cesarean Section; D002824:Chorionic Villi / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D005317:Fetal Growth Retardation / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D008867:Microtomy; D010929:Placentation; D011225:Pre-Eclampsia / Q000473:pathology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D014327:Trophoblasts / Q000473:pathology*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Fetal growth restriction; Preeclampsia; Sectioning artefact; Syncytial bridge; Syncytial knot; Syncytiotrophoblast