Expression levels and clinical significance of autophagy related proteins in placenta tissues of pregnant women with fetal growth restriction

Abstract

Objective To explore the expression and clinical significance of autophagy related proteins Beclin-1, microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3(LC3) in placenta tissues of pregnant women with fetal growth restriction(FGR). Methods A total of 40 pregnant women undergoing delivery due to FGR and 40 pregnant women undergoing normal delivery in the Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University were enrolled as FGR group and healthy group between August 2022 and August 2023. The general clinical data in the two groups were collected. The levels of Beclin-1 and LC3 mRNA in placenta tissues were detected by PCR, and expressions of Beclin-1 and LC3 proteins were detected by immunohistochemistry. The differences in positive of Beclin-1 and LC3 proteins among patients with different clinical data were analyzed. Results The placental thickness, placental mass and neonatal weight in FGR group were lower than those in healthy group(P＜0.05). The mRNA levels of Beclin-1 and LC3 in FGR group were higher than those in healthy group(P＜0.05) and positive expression rates of Beclin-1 and LC3 proteins were significantly higher than those in healthy group(P＜0.05). There was significant difference in positive expression profile of Beclin-1 and LC3 proteins among patients with different placental thickness, placental mass and neonatal weight(P＜0.05). Conclusions The positive expressions of autophagy genes(Beclin-1 and LC3) are related to FGR, and their specific expression levels are closely related to fetal growth and development.

Keywords

• fetal growth restriction|autophagy related protein|correlation|clinical characteristic