Expression of thioredoxin, 8Hydroxy-deguanosine and peroxiredoxins in placental tissues

In this study we analyzed the expression of 8-hydroxy-deguanosine (8OHdG), thioredoxin (Trx) and peroxiredoxins (Prx) 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 in 80 cases of placental samples representing both normal and diseased placentas. The staining was evaluated separately in the stromal, trophoblastic and vascular components of the tissues. The results indicate that during the first trimester the level of reactive oxygen species (ROS) as indicated by 8OHdG was highest in the stromal component, which was also the case for Trx, Prx3, Prx4 and Prx6. In diseased placentas stromal 8OHdG was lower in cases with chromosomal aberrations but higher in molar disease in both trophoblastic and stromal cells. In chorioamnionitis stromal prx 5 and prx6 were high. Stromal prx4 and trophoblastic prx6 and stromal and endothelial Trx were also higher in molar disease. The results show that the oxidative stress is high in placentas during the first trimester. This probably reflects the oxidation burst of the placental tissues due to development of vascularity. In diseased placentas elevated levels of Prxs were seen in chorioamnionitis reflecting the ROS stress induced by inflammatory cells. The higher values of antioxidative enzymes in molar disease are possibly due to defective placentation. All in all, the results underline the importance on ROS associated mechanisms in placental development and the function of placenta to protect the developing fetus from harmful effects of reactive oxygen species as evidenced by their abundant expression in different cellular compartments of the placenta.