[Placental expression of human histocompatibility antigen-G mRNA in idiopathic fetal growth restriction and its relationship with pathological changes of placenta].

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the expressions of human histocompatibility antigen-G (HLA-G) mRNA in placenta of idiopathic fetal growth restriction (IFGR) and its relationship with pathogenesis of IFGR. METHODS: In situ hybridization was used to investigate the expression level and distribution of HLA-G mRNA in placentas of 20 cases of idiopathic IFGR and 28 cases of control group. HE stain was applied to observe the pathological changes of the placenta. RESULTS: (1) The incidence of placental pathological lesions in idiopathic IFGR (75%) was notably higher than those of the control group (18%), (chi2 = 15.67, P = 0.001). (2) In situ hybridization showed the positive expression rate of HLA-G mRNA in placenta of idiopathic IFGR was 45%, that of control group was 79%, with significant difference between the two groups (chi2 = 5.75, P = 0.017). HLA-G mRNA signal mainly expressed in cytotrophoblast and syncytiotrophoblast. (3) There was negative correlation between the expression rate of HLA-G mRNA and incidence of placental pathological lesions (r = -0.638, P = 0.008). CONCLUSIONS: There is a significant decrease in the expression of HLA-G mRNA in IFGR. HLA-G may play a role in the pathogenesis of IFGR.