Apoptosis and expression of Bcl-2, Bax, p53, caspase-3, and Fas, Fas ligand in placentas complicated by preeclampsia

Aim: To determine whether preeclampsia is associated with an increase in placental apoptosis and altered expression of mediators of apoptosis such as Fas, Fas ligand, caspase-3, p53, Bcl-2 and Bax. Methods: Placental samples obtained from 20 women with preeclampsia and 14 normal women were analyzed using the Klenow, Frag-EL DNA fragmentation detection kit for apoptosis. Expression of Fas, Fas ligand, caspase-3, p 53 Bcl-2, and Bax was assessed using immunohistochemistry. Results: The median percentage of apoptotic nuclei in trophoblasts was significantly higher for the preeclampsia group than for the controls (6.9 vs 0.25; p = .001). Fas ligand expression was significantly higher in the decidua among the subjects with preeclampsia compared with controls (1.2 vs 0; p = .023). Otherwise no difference was observed in the expression of Bax, Bcl-2, p53, caspase-3, and Fas between groups. Conclusion: Increased apoptosis in preeclampsia may not be associated with significant alterations in Fas, Fas ligand, caspase-3, p53, Bcl-2 and Bax expression.