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Z Geburtshilfe Neonatol
DOI: 10.1055/a-2451-2223
Original Article

The Immunohistochemical and Bioinformatics Analysis of the Placental Expressions of Vascular Cell Adhesion Protein 1 (VCAM-1) and High Mobility Group Box 1 (HMGB1) Proteins in Gestational Diabetic Mothers

Süleyman Cemil Oğlak 
1   Obstetrics and Gynecology, Diyarbakir Gazi Yasargil Training and Research Hospital, Diyarbakır, Turkey (Ringgold ID: RIN226851)
,
Fırat Aşır 
2   Histology and Embryology, Dicle University, Diyarbakir, Turkey (Ringgold ID: RIN37507)
,
Emine Zeynep Yılmaz 
3   Obstetrics and Gynecology, Bahçelievler Memorial Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey
,
Gökhan Bolluk 
4   Perinatology, TC Sağlık Bakanlığ Başakşehir Çam ve Sakura Şehir Hastanesi, Basaksehir, Turkey (Ringgold ID: RIN622463)
,
Tuğcan Korak 
5   Medical Biology, Kocaeli University, Kocaeli, Turkey (Ringgold ID: RIN52980)
,
Elif Ağaçayak 
6   Obstetrics and Gynecology, Dicle University, Diyarbakir, Turkey (Ringgold ID: RIN37507)
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Abstract

Objective  We aimed to examine both the expression levels of high mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) proteins in the placentas of pregnant women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and control groups by immunohistochemical (IHC) method.

Material and methods  An experimental case-control study was conducted, including 40 pregnant women complicated with GDM and 40 healthy pregnant women. Placental tissues obtained following cesarean delivery were subjected to routine tissue monitoring. The placental sections were stained with VCAM-1 and HMGB1 immunostains and subjected to IHC examination under a light microscope. H-score (HS) was used to evaluate the results of IHC staining by semi-quantitative analysis. Pathway analysis in Cytoscape software identified GDM-associated proteins within HMGB1 and VCAM-1 interaction networks, followed by GO analysis to explore associated biological processes.

Results  Placental HGMB1 expression was significantly increased in the GDM group compared to the control group (p<0.001). However, placental VCAM-1 expression was found to be statistically similar in GDM and control groups (p=0.584). The shared 19 proteins were identified between HMGB1 and GDM, and 13 between VCAM-1 and GDM, with notable GO biological process terms such as immune system activation for HMGB1 and interleukin-6 regulation for VCAM-1 associated with GDM.

Conclusion  We consider that GDM-related inflammation and oxidative stress may contribute to tissue damage and inflammation by increasing placental HMGB1 expression. The blockade of HMGB1 and its receptors might represent a promising therapeutic approach to control inflammation in GDM. Understanding the distinct roles of HMGB1 and VCAM-1 may provide valuable insights for the development of targeted therapies aimed at mitigating the inflammatory processes associated with GDM and improving maternal and fetal outcomes.

Keywords

gestational dabetes mellitus - high mobility group box 1 - vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 - immunohistochemical analysis


Publication History

Received: 09 April 2024

Accepted after revision: 06 October 2024

Article published online:
12 November 2024

© 2024. Thieme. All rights reserved.

Georg Thieme Verlag KG
Oswald-Hesse-Straße 50, 70469 Stuttgart, Germany

 

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