The features of the E-cadherin/β-catenin signaling pathway in the placenta and peripheral blood of pregnant women with fetal growth restriction

It is known that reduced placental size, abnormal development of placental villi and reduced E-cadherin expression are observed in pregnancies with fetal growth restriction.

Objective: To identify the features of the E-cadherin/β-catenin signaling pathway in the placenta and peripheral blood of pregnant women by determining expression of the MMP-9, CCND1 and BIRC5 genes induced by the nuclear β-catenin translocation, as well as WNT2 gene expression, and to analyze the features of apoptosis of the placental cells.

Materials and methods: The study included 82 patients. The main group consisted of 46 women with the postnatal diagnosis of fetal growth restriction without hypertension complications. The control group consisted of 36 patients with normal pregnancy. Investigation of the features of the E-cadherin/β-catenin signaling pathway was carried out by determining expression of the MMP-9, CCND1 and BIRC5 genes induced by the nuclear β-catenin translocation, and WNT2 gene expression in the placental tissue and peripheral blood, as well as analyzing the features of apptosis of placental cells.

Results: It was found that MMP-9 and BIRC5 expression levels in the placenta were significantly higher in fetal growth restriction (p=0.03 and p=0.02, respectively). MMP-9 expression level in the peripheral blood was lower in fetal growth restriction (p=0.001). Increased apoptosis of the placental cells was observed in fetal growth restriction (p=0.03). Excessive apoptosis of trophoblast cells was in fetal growth restriction compared with normal pregnancy (p=0.017).

Conclusion: Lower level of E-cadherin expression in the placenta in fetal growth restriction can be associated with activation of the E-cadherin/β-catenin signaling pathway and development of apoptosis of placental trophoblast cells.