Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 7, 2026

Knockdown of FAM83A to Verify Its Role in Cervical Cancer Cell Growth and Cisplatin Sensitivity
Published on: February 9, 2024
Coelomic cells show apoptosis via Fas/FasL system: a comparative study between healthy human pregnancies and missed
A Kaponis1, A Skyrlas, N Zagorianakou
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Ioannina University School of Medicine, Ioannina, Greece. kaponisapostolos@hotmail.com
Background:
The Fas/Fas ligand (FasL) system represents one of the main apoptotic pathways controlling placental apoptosis throughout gestation. In the current study, we have examined the Fas/FasL protein expression and the apoptotic incidents of coelomic cells, amniotic cells and trophoblastic tissue in first trimester human pregnancies and missed miscarriages (MM).
Methods:
Protein expression was determined by immunofluoresence, western blotting analysis, immunohistochemistry and indirectly by RT-PCR, whereas apoptotic cell death was assessed by in situ DNA fragmentation analysis.
Results:
Coelomic cells express Fas/FasL proteins, can undergo apoptosis and were the only cells in which apoptosis, Fas protein expression and FasL protein expression were accordingly increased along with gestational age (P = 0.001, P = 0.008; P = 0.012, respectively). In contrast, amniotic cells and trophoblast showed a consistency in the expression levels of Fas/FasL proteins in healthy pregnancies. MM were accompanied by increased Fas/FasL protein expression in all examined samples (P < 0.001). The increase of Fas/FasL protein expression was accompanied by proportional increase of apoptotic incidents among the coelomic cell population (P = 0.023, P = 0.009, respectively), whereas amniotic cells and trophoblast appeared to be resistant to Fas-induced apoptosis. The lowest expression of Fas/FasL proteins and the minimum occurrence of apoptotic incidents were detected in the trophoblast.
Conclusions:
These data suggest that there is a different regulation and function of the Fas/FasL system in early human pregnancies. Aberration of the Fas-mediated apoptosis may represent one of the execution-step necessary for pregnancy loss in MM cases.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Cellular Injury V: Apoptosis and Autophagy
The Extrinsic Apoptotic Pathway
Apoptosis
Caspases
Phagocytosis of Apoptotic Cells
Normal cells contain receptors that prevent them from being recognized by phagocytes.
The Intrinsic Apoptotic Pathway

