Determination of CTLA-4 Levels in Placenta Tissue of Pregnant Women with Preeclampsia and Smoking Pregnant Women with Preeclampsia

BACKGROUND/AIMS: In this study, the determination of cytotoxic T lymphocyte-associated antigen 4 (CTLA-4) levels in placenta tissue of pregnant women with preeclampsia and smoking pregnant women with preeclampsia was investigated using histological and immunohistochemical MATERIALS AND METHODS: Placenta tissues of 28 pregnant women were used in the study. The groups were formed into the categories of control, smoking, preeclampsia, and preeclampsia + smoking. Tissue samples taken at the end of delivery were fixed in 10% formalin, subjected to standard histological processing, and blocked in paraffin. Crossman's trichrome and haematoxylin-eosin staining was performed on sections taken from paraffin blocks. Immunohistochemical methods were applied to determine CTLA-4 immunoreactivity in placental tissues. RESULTS: In the groups of smoking, preeclampsia, preeclampsia + smoking, changes such as: a decreased villous tree, congestion in the villi, and deposition of fibrin in the decidua were determined. In addition, different levels of CTLA-4 immunoreactivity were ascertained in the placental tissue and amniotic epithelium of all groups. The intensity of immunoreactivity in decidua cells and stem villi was identified to decrease in other groups compared to the control group. CONCLUSION: It was thought that maternal immune system responses and histopathological changes in placenta tissue may cause decreased CTLA-4 immunoreactivity in smoking, preeclampsia and preeclampsia + smoking groups.