BCL-2 expression in the human placenta and its correlation with fibrin deposits

• Published in: Human reproduction (Oxford) Vol. 13; no. 6; pp. 1717 - 1722
• Main Authors: Marzioni, D, Mühlhauser, J, Crescimanno, C, Banita, M, Pierleoni, C, Castellucci, M
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Oxford University Press 01-06-1998
• Subjects: Biological and medical sciences; Embryology: invertebrates and vertebrates. Teratology; Female; Fetal membranes; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; General aspects. Development. Fetal membranes; Humans; Immunohistochemistry; Mother. Fetoplacental unit. Mammary gland. Milk; Placenta - metabolism; Pregnancy; Pregnancy. Parturition. Lactation; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 - biosynthesis; Vertebrates: reproduction; Pregnancy; Human; Fibrin; Placenta; Fetal membrane; Immunocytochemistry; C-Onc gene; Development; Female; Differentiation; Gene expression; Protooncogene
• ISSN: 0268-1161; 1460-2350
• DOI: 10.1093/humrep/13.6.1717

The human placenta performs numerous functions during its limited lifespan and its survival is a necessary prerequisite for fetal nutrition, even in unfavourable conditions. BCL-2 is a proto-oncogene implicated in the regulation of cell death and survival without affecting cell proliferation. An extracellular matrix molecule involved in the reparative and degenerative processes in the human placenta is fibrin. We have analysed by immunohistochemistry the expression of BCL-2 and correlated it with fibrin deposits in placental tissues. In first and third trimester placentas BCL-2 was expressed in the syncytiotrophoblast. Only a few mesenchymal villi (first trimester) or terminal villi (third trimester) showed no staining in the syncytiotrophoblast. Villous cytotrophoblast, mesenchymal cells of the villous cores and extravillous cytotrophoblast of cell columns and cell islands were all negative for BCL-2. BCL-2 expression was enhanced in the syncytiotrophoblast overlying subtrophoblastic fibrin deposits. However, discontinuities and/or variations in intensity of BCL-2 expression characterized not only the villi showing perivillous fibrinoid but also those villi with a massive presence of fibrinoid in their cores. These data suggest that BCL-2 may be necessary for the preservation of the placenta during gestation as well as for the reparative processes of the trophoblast.