Apoptotic and stress signaling markers are augmented in preeclamptic placenta and umbilical cord

Preeclampsia (preE) has a significant link to alterations of placental function leading to stress and apoptotic signaling, which pass the placental barrier and leave persistent defect in the circulation of the offspring. We assessed apoptotic signaling in placentas and umbilical cords from patients with and without preE. We collected placental and cord tissues from 27 normal pregnant (NP) women and 20 preE consenting patients after delivery in an IRB approved prospective study. p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38 MAPK) phosphorylation, pro-apoptotic Bcl-2-associated X (Bax), anti-apoptotic Bcl-2, caspase-9, and pro-inflammatory cyclooxygenase-2 (Cox-2) were evaluated by western blot and immunohistochemistry. Comparisons were performed using Student's t-test. p38 phosphorylation (Placenta: 1.5 fold, Cord: 1.7 fold), ratio of Bax/Bcl-2 (Placenta: 1.7 fold, Cord: 2.2 fold), caspase-9 (Placenta: 1.5 fold, Cord: 1.8 fold) and Cox-2 (Placenta: 2.5 fold, Cord: 2.3 fold) were up-regulated (p