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Updated: Jun 3, 2026
Multiplexed Fluorescent Immunohistochemical Staining of Four Endometrial Immune Cell Types in Recurrent Miscarriage
Published on: August 4, 2021
Low expression of progesterone receptor A in intermediate trophoblast of miscarriages
Theodora Papamitsou1, Maria Chatzistamatiou, Danai Grammatikopoulou
1Laboratory of Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, Aristotle University, Thessaloniki, Greece.
Objective:
To examine the potential differences in the expression of Progesterone Receptor A and Estrogen Receptor A in intermediate trophoblastic cells at the implantation site in elective abortions and miscarriages by immunohistochemistry.
Study Design:
Twenty two (22) samples of miscarriages and eighteen (18) samples of elective abortions were obtained during gestational weeks 6 to 12. Monoclonal antibodies against Cytokeratin 7 and prolactin were used to help discriminate between trophoblastic and decidual cells at the feto-maternal interface on formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded sections. Samples were then stained with ERA and PRA antibodies. Nuclear expression was considered positive. Staining intensity was measured according to a 4 grade scale. Statistical analysis of the results was performed using the Mann-Whitney test and the Wilcoxon signed rank test.
Results:
PRA expression in intermediate trophoblastic cells was significantly higher in elective abortions (control group) compared to miscarriages. ERA expression was uniformly negative in both groups.
Conclusion:
PRA expression is significantly lower in intermediate trophoblastic cells of miscarriages compared to elective abortion pregnancies. Although this could be solely a result of a secondary event, it is still an important finding in the effort to unravel the complex molecular pathobiology of spontaneous abortions.
