The regulation of apoptosis in intrauterine growth restriction: a study of Bcl-2 and Bax gene expression in human placenta

Abstract

Objective: In this study, we assessed Bcl-2 and Bax gene expression patterns in human placental samples from intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) pregnancies using normal pregnancy as control.

Methods: We compared Bcl-2 and Bax gene expression in placental samples from all IUGR pregnancies treated in our clinic between 1 January 2010–1 January 2011 vs. 140 normal pregnancy samples from the same study period. We also assessed clinical parameters such as maternal age, gestational weight gain, gestational body mass index (BMI) change, and maternal birth weight.

Results: In IUGR, the Bcl-2 gene was underexpressed compared to normal pregnancy. There was no difference in the Bax gene activity in the two groups. The degree of growth restriction within the IUGR group did not correlate with Bcl-2 or Bax gene activity.

Conclusions: Our study revealed that it is the reduced inhibitory activity of the Bcl-2 gene rather than an enhanced stimulatory activity of the Bax gene in the background of the increased apoptosis observed in IUGR. IUGR appears to be more common with maternal age around 20 years and above 35 years. Gestational weight gain and gestational BMI change also predict the risk for IUGR.

Keywords::

• Placenta
• apoptosis
• intrauterine growth restriction
• Bcl-2 gene
• Bax gene

Declaration of Interest: The authors report no declarations of interest.