Study of ultrastructure and expression of epidermal growth factor receptor in placenta in intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy / 中华围产医学杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective The cytotoxic effect of bile acids on trophoblast and fetal development in intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy(ICP) were studied through the observation of ultrastructure changes and expression of epidermal growth factor receptor(EGFR) of placenta. Methods Twenty two ICP (7 with FGR and 15 without FGR) and 15 normal late pregnancies were selected. The placental ultrastructure was observed with transmission electron microscope. The expression of EGFR in placenta was determined by immunohistological method and the related quantity of EGFR mRNA was analysed by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT PCR). Results The morphological changes found in syncytiotrophoblast were the following decrease in the number of superficial microvilli, dilatation of rough endoplasmic reticulum, tumefation or myelination of the mitochondria and abnormal distribution of chromatin. These changes of syncytiotrophoblast were more obvious in ICP with FGR. In addition, decrease in the number of capillaries and proliferation of degenerated collagenous fibrils in villi interstitium were also observed. Compared with the normal pregnancies, the expression of EGFR in placenta from ICP decreased significantly and there was no significant difference of EGFR expression in ICP with and without FGR. Conclusion Bile acids cause distinct injuries on trophoblast in a dose dependent manner and that maybe account for the decreased expression of placental EGFR in ICP.