Expression of nuclear factor-κB in placenta of normal pregnancy and intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy and its significance

Objective:To explore the expression of nuclear factor kappa B(NF-κB) in placenta of normal pregnancy and intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy(ICP) and to analyze the clinical significance.Methods: Forty-seven ICP patients were graded into mild ICP group(n=28,TBA40 μmol/L) and severe ICP group(n=19,TBA≥40 μmol/L) based on serum total bile acid(TBA) level.The expression of NF-κB p65 protein in normal(n=30,control group) and ICP placenta was determined by immunohistochemistry combined with tissue microarray.Results:Positive staining of NF-κB p65 protein was evident in cytoplasm and nucleus of the syncytiotrophoblast,and positive staining also presented in the smooth muscle and endothelial cell of villous vessels.The values of integrated optical density(IOD) per unit area of placenta in severe ICP group,mild ICP group and control group were 95.69±13.49,71.37±7.74 and 57.54±4.13 respectively(each other,P0.01).Conclusion:The expression of NF-κB in ICP placenta is higher than those in normal placenta,having increasing tendency with aggravation.Activated NF-κB may be concerned with the pathogenesis of ICP.