Immunohistochemical Examination of Placental NRG-1 Expression in Pregnant Women Diagnosed with Preeclampsia

Aim: Preeclampsia is a multisystemic disease characterized by hypertension, proteinuria, increased vascular damage and permeability, and superficial placental invasion that occurs during pregnancy. Neuregulin-1 (NRG-1) is an important ligand for embryogenesis, angiogenesis, nervous system development, myogenesis, and gonadogenesis. In our study it was aimed to examine the importance of NRG-1 in preeclampsia using light microscopy. Materials and Methods: Study groups: Group 1 (control group) (n=10): healthy normal pregnants, Group 2 (preeclampsia group) (n=10): pregnant women diagnosed with preeclampsia. Hematoxylin Eosin and Periodic Acid -Schiff stainings were done. NRG-1 immunostaining was performed and scored. Results: In the control group, the syncytiotrophoblast layer, villus stroma, fetal vascular structures and intervillous space were histologically normal. It was observed that the lumen of the villi in the placentas of preeclamptic pregnant women was narrowed and the number of villi was less than that of normal pregnant women. A significant increase in the number of nuclear chains was detected around the syncytial node and villi. It was observed that the number of fetal capillaries and fetomaternal barriers decreased. Intervillous and perivillous fibrin deposition was clearly observed. In the preeclampsia group, it was determined that the staining intensity with anti-NRG-1 around the villus was significantly less than the normal pregnant placentas in the control group (p<0.05). Conclusion: Preeclampsia can cause pathological changes in the placenta at the light microscopic level, as well as a decrease in NRG-1 expression. We think that NRG-1 may be an important marker for the preeclampsia process.