Assessing the Role of Bcl-2 and p53 in Apoptotic Mechanisms in Spontaneous Abortions Download PDF

Apoptosis is programmed cell death and is under the control of pro-apoptotic factors (p53) as well as anti-apoptotic factors (Bcl-2). In pregnancy, apoptosis ensures a relative state of balance in the normal evolution of the placenta. Spontaneous abortions are associated with cellular dysfunction phenomena that can be induced by excessive apoptosis. Thirty placentas from pregnant women aged between 35 and 40 years who had spontaneous miscarriages were collected and compared to 20 placentas obtained from on-demand abortions as a control group. The sections were incubated with anti-BCL2, mouse monoclonal antibody, and anti-p53-mouse monoclonal antibody and analyzed according to the H score. The information was shown as mean ± standard deviation (SD). T-tests for independent and paired students were used to compare continuous variables. The analysis of pro-apoptotic factors shows an increased expression of p53 in the patients in the study group (230,33 ±63,80) compared to the value in the control group (131,22±36,04). The H score in the case of anti-apoptotic factors (Bcl-2) reveals an increased value in the control group (167±92,73), compared to the value obtained in the case of patients who had spontaneous abortion (120,20±100). The overexpression of pro-apoptotic factors in association with the decrease in the level of anti-apoptotic factors is associated with the involution of pregnancy and the occurrence of spontaneous abortion.