PHENOTYPIC CHARACTERISTICS OF TROPHOBLASTIC HYPERPLASIA AND MICROENVIRONMENT ALTERATIONS IN CHORIONIC VILLI IN...

Hydatidiform mole represents the major cause of the molar pregnancy, which is a special cause of spontaneous abortions. We analysed phenotypic characteristics of epithelial hyperplasia and tumor microenvironment alterations in different types of hydatidiform moles. Standard immunohistochemistry was used for the detection of Ki67, Cyclin D1, p53, BCL2, E-cadherin, p63, Vimentin, CD34, CD3, CD4, CD8 and CD68. In addition, epithelial hyperplasia has been assessed in standard diagnostic haematoxylin and eosin stained tissue specimens. The results of our study indicated that both cytotrophoblast and sincitiptrophoblast layers are characterised with marked epithelial hyperplasia and high proliferation index in partial and complete moles, whilst apoptotic index is minimal. Early complete mole resembles the partial mole, rather than complete mole. Lymphocyte infiltration, marked by CD3, CD4 and CD8 is also higher in complete and partial moles, whilst macrophage infiltration is relatively lower. Macrophage infiltration marked by CD68 correlates with microvessel density marked by CD34. The evaluation of proliferation and apoptotic markers, as well as microenvironment, might serve as additional diagnostic markers in patients with hydatidiform moles and hydropic abortions.