Placental expression of hypoxia-induced factors in acute hypoxia and fetal intrauterine growth restriction

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Abstract

Hypoxia-induced factors (HIF-1 and HIF-2) are expressed in the placenta during all trimesters of pregnancy under both normal and hypoxic conditions. However, hypoxia significantly increases placental expression of HIF-1 and HIF-2. The role of HIF-1 expression in chronic placental insufficiency, its significance in preterm birth and preeclampsia, and the relationship between inflammation and hypoxia has been established. Nevertheless, there is a lack of data regarding placental HIF expression at birth in children who experience acute hypoxia during labor.

Objective: To determine the levels of placental HIF-1 and HIF-2 expression in acute hypoxia during labor and fetal intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR).

Materials and methods: An immunohistochemical study was conducted on 44 placentas using primary rabbit antibodies for HIF1a and HIF2a, divided into three groups: group I (n=12), comprising placentas obtained during uncomplicated labor; group II (n=18), consisting of placentas from fetuses that experienced hypoxia during labor (umbilical artery blood pH <7.25); and group III (n=14), including placentas with fetal IUGR.

Results: A statistically significant difference in HIF-1 expression was observed between groups I and III. When assessing the intensity of HIF-1 and HIF-2 staining, significant differences were noted between groups I and II and between groups I and III, while expression in groups II and III did not differ. The highest placental HIF-2 expression was observed in newborn girls.

Conclusion: The results indicate that HIF-1 and HIF-2 expression changes depending on the duration of cell exposure to hypoxia. The maximum placental expression of hypoxia-induced factors is characteristic of fetal IUGR.

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About the authors

Margarita D. Leonova

Maternity Hospital No. 13

Author for correspondence.
Email: _margarita_@bk.ru
ORCID iD: 0000-0002-3813-2995

Obstetrician-Gynecologist

Russian Federation, 191124, St. Petersburg, Kostromskaya str., 4

Vitaly F. Bezhenar

Pavlov First Saint Petersburg State Medical University, Ministry of Health of Russia

Email: bez-vitaly@yandex.ru
ORCID iD: 0000-0002-7807-4929

Dr. Med. Sci., Professor, Head of the Departments of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Neonatology/Reproductology, Head of the Clinic of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Pavlov First State Medical University, Ministry of Health of Russia; Main Supernumerary Specialist Obstetrician-Gynecologist of the Health Committee of St. Petersburg

Russian Federation, 197022, St. Petersburg, Leo Tolstoy str., 6-8

Natalia Yu. Semenova

Morpholab LLC

Email: _margarita_@bk.ru
ORCID iD: 0000-0003-4069-0678

PhD, Head of Scientific Department

Russian Federation, St. Petersburg

Dmitry V. Semenikhin

Morpholab LLC

Email: _margarita_@bk.ru
ORCID iD: 0000-0002-0636-5241

Pathologist, Chief Physician

Russian Federation, St. Petersburg

Elena V. Frederiks

Maternity Hospital No. 13; Pavlov First Saint Petersburg State Medical University, Ministry of Health of Russia

Email: _margarita_@bk.ru
ORCID iD: 0000-0002-2513-6209

PhD, Chief Physician, Maternity Hospital No. 13; Teaching Assistant at the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Neonatology, Pavlov First State Medical University, Ministry of Health of Russia

Russian Federation, 191124, St. Petersburg, Kostromskaya str. 4; 197022, St. Petersburg, Leo Tolstoy str., 6-8

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Supplementary files

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2. Fig. 1. Different intensity of HIF-1 protein expression in terminal villi (a-0, b-1+, c-2+, d-3+)

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3. Fig. 2. Expression of HIF-1% + cells in the study groups, p=0.063 (method used: Kruskal-Wallis test)

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