The discrepancy distribution of macrophage subsets in preeclampsia placenta with or without fetal growth restriction from a small cohort

Abstract

Objectives: To identify the effect of distribution characteristic of macrophages on placental function and angiogenesis in pregnancies with preeclampsia (PE) in presence of fetal growth restriction (FGR) or preeclampsia without FGR. Material and methods: The study tested the hypothesis that there was association between distribution characteristic of macrophage subsets (marked by CD68, CD163, respectively) and placental capillary development, leading to placental dysfunction in PE pregnancies with FGR (n = 36). Changes in placental parameters related with efficiency and angiogenesis and macrophage phenotypes (CD68 and CD163) were evaluated by immunohistochemistry. Pearson correlation analysis was performed to analysis the association between macrophage phenotype and placental function as well the CD34 staining, respectively. Additionally, the localization of CD68 and CD163 was assessed by using immunoflurorescence staining. Results: Pearson correlation analysis had shown the positive association between CD68 expression and microvessel formation and the reverse linear relationship between CD163 staining and placental sufficiency in PE + FGR placenta. The co-localization of CD163 and CD34 may pointed to the compensatory role of CD163 distribution involved in prompting neovascularization. Conclusions: The association between disturbed distribution of macrophages and placental efficiency and angiogenesis were only found in PE with FGR not in PE pregnancies without FGR, underlying the discrepancy role of macrophage subsets depending on the clinical phenotype of PE pregnancies.