Autophagy in placentas from acidotic newborns: an immunohistochemical study of LC3 expression

Placenta. 2013 Nov;34(11):1091-4. doi: 10.1016/j.placenta.2013.09.004. Epub 2013 Sep 13.

Abstract

Autophagy is an inducible catabolic process activated during compromised conditions, such as hypoxia. Neonatal encephalopathy (NE) is a syndrome of disturbed neurological function. No absolute prognostic indicators are available at birth to identify neonates at high risk to develop NE. Immunohistochemical staining with LC3 antibody was performed on 40 placentas from uneventful term singleton pregnancies with umbilical artery pH ≤ 7.00 at birth; semi-quantitative analysis was carried-out to estimate autophagy level. 6/40 (15%) neonates developed NE. Placentas from newborns with NE exhibited a higher LC3 expression. Autophagy protein expression in placentas with severe acidosis is a potential marker for poor outcome.

Keywords: Acidosis; Autophagy; LC3; Neonatal encephalopathy; Placenta.

Publication types

  • Multicenter Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Acidosis / blood
  • Acidosis / etiology
  • Acidosis / metabolism*
  • Acidosis / pathology
  • Autophagy*
  • Biomarkers / metabolism
  • Female
  • Fetal Blood
  • Humans
  • Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
  • Hypoxia-Ischemia, Brain / epidemiology
  • Hypoxia-Ischemia, Brain / physiopathology*
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Italy / epidemiology
  • Microtubule-Associated Proteins / genetics
  • Microtubule-Associated Proteins / metabolism*
  • Placenta / metabolism*
  • Placenta / pathology
  • Pregnancy
  • RNA, Messenger / metabolism
  • Risk Factors
  • Severity of Illness Index
  • Term Birth
  • Trophoblasts / metabolism
  • Trophoblasts / pathology
  • Up-Regulation*

Substances

  • Biomarkers
  • MAP1LC3A protein, human
  • Microtubule-Associated Proteins
  • RNA, Messenger