Research on apoptotic signaling pathways of recurrent spontaneous abortion caused by dysfunction of trophoblast infiltration

OBJECTIVE: To study the apoptotic signaling pathways of recurrent spontaneous abortion caused by dysfunction of trophoblast infiltration. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 60 patients with recurrent spontaneous abortion and normal abortion were selected consecutively as recurrent spontaneous abortion group and abortion group, respectively. Villous tissues were obtained and cell apoptosis was observed under a microscope; terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TdT)-mediated dUTP nick end labeling (Tunel) method was used to test the apoptosis rate. In situ hybridization was adopted to detect expressions of Fas messenger RNA (Fas mRNA) and Fas ligand messenger RNA (FasL mRNA); expression of Fas, FasL and protein kinase C (PKC) were examined by immunohistochemistry at protein level; fluorescence spectrophotometer was used to test Ca2+ level. RESULTS: The apoptosis rate, expressions of Fas mRNA, and FasL mRNA, expressions of Fas and FasL proteins, as well as Ca2+ level, were significantly higher in the recurrent spontaneous abortion group than in abortion group. The level of PKC protein was significantly lower in recurrent spontaneous abortion group than in abortion group (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Fas-FasL and PKC signaling pathways, as well as Ca2+, may mediate the dysfunction of trophoblast infiltration, which leads to recurrent spontaneous abortion.