The relationship between apoptosis and p53, Bax, and Bcl-2 protein expressions in the decidua and chorionic villi tissues from spontaneous abortion

Objective To investigate the relationship between apoptosis and pathogenesis of spontaneous abortion at an early stage. Methods The specimens of decidua and chorionic villi were collected from 23 cases of spontaneous abortion at an early stage (abortion group) and 22 normal early pregnancies (control group) in our hospital. Apoptosis was detected by terminal deoxynucleotidy transferase-mediated dUTP-biotin nick end labeling (TUNEL), so were the expressions of p53, Bax, and Bcl-2 proteins by immunohistochemistry (SP method). Results As compared with those in the control group, the apoptotic index and the expressions of p53 and Bax proteins in the decidua and chorionic villi tissues increased significantly in the abortion group (P 0.01), while the Bcl-2 protein expression decreased markedly(P 0.01). Conclusions Excessive apoptosis is one of the mechanisms in the pathogenesis of spontaneous abortion. p53 is involved in the regulation of apoptosis of spontaneous abortion by the Bax/Bcl-2 pathway.