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. 2023 Oct 23:38:e388023.
doi: 10.1590/acb388023. eCollection 2023.

Role of SOX9 and Hif-1α expression in placentas of patients with HELLP

Senem Alkan Akalın  1 , Ece Öcal  2 , Engin Deveci  3
Affiliations

Role of SOX9 and Hif-1α expression in placentas of patients with HELLP

Senem Alkan Akalın et al. Acta Cir Bras. .

Abstract

Purpose: In this study, we investigated the immunohistochemical staining of SRY-box transcription factor 9 (SOX9) and Hif-1α expression in placentas of pregnant woman with hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes and low platelets (HELLP) syndrome.

Methods: Placentas of 20 normotensive and 20 women with HELLP syndrome were processed for routine histological tissue processing. The biochemical and clinical parameters of patients were recorded. Placentas were stained with hematoxylin-eosin and SOX9 and Hif-1α immunostaining.

Results: Normotensive placentas showed normal histology of placenta, however placentas of HELLP syndrome showed intense thrombosis, thinning of the villi membrane and vascular dilatation. In placentas of normotensive patients, SOX9 reaction was immunohistochemically negative, however placentas of HELLP group showed SOX9 expression in decidual cells, and syncytial regions of floating villi and inflammatory cells. In placentas of normotensive patients, Hif-1α reaction was mainly negative in vessels and connective tissue cells. Placentas of HELLP group showed increased Hif-1α expression in decidual cell and especially inflammatory cells in the maternal region.

Conclusions: Hif-1α and SOX9 proteins can be used as a marker to show severity of preeclampsia and regulation of cell proliferation and angiogenesis during placental development.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of interest: Nothing to declare.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. Demonstration of clinical findings of hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes and low platelets (HELLP) syndrome.
Figure 2
Figure 2. Biochemical and demographical parameters.
Figure 3
Figure 3. Normotensive and HELLP syndrome placentas with immune staining. Decidual cells (yellow arrows). Scale bar = 50 μm; magnification = 40x for all sections.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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