THE SPECIFIC FEATURES OF PLACENTAL APOPTOSIS AND CELL PROLIFERATION IN PREECLAMPSIA
Objective. To evaluate the activity of the processes of placental apoptosis and cell proliferation in preeclampsia. Subjects and methods. A case-control study enrolled 11 women without preeclampsia, 14 with moderate preeclampsia and 14 with severe preeclampsia. The specific features of the course of pregnancy and labor, the placental expression of markers for cell proliferation (Ki-67), antiapoptosis (Bcl-2), and proapoptosis (p53) were analyzed. Results. In preeclampsia, in severe one in particular, the capillary endothelium and stromal macrophages showed the activated processes of cell proliferation and antiapoptosis; the symplastotrophoblast displayed those of cell proliferation and proapoptosis; the activity of antiapoptosis was drastically reduced. The correlations of the immunohistochemical parameters of cell proliferation, placental pro- and antiapoptosis with obstetric complications (sub- and decompensated placental insufficiency, severe preeclampsia, neonatal hypotrophy and asphyxia) suggest that there are similar mechanisms of their development. Conclusion. The processes of placental apoptosis and cell proliferation play a definite role in the pathogenesis of preeclampsia; however, the significance of cell renewal programs in the development of this syndrome calls for further investigation.