Condac C, Lozneanu L, Matasariu DR, Ursache A, Bujor IE, Niță ME, Boiculese VL, Bîrluțiu V. Shedding Light on the COVID-19 Pandemic: Placental Expression of Cell Biomarkers in Negative, Vaccinated, and Positive Pregnant Women.
J Clin Med 2024;
13:5546. [PMID:
39337033 PMCID:
PMC11432756 DOI:
10.3390/jcm13185546]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2024] [Revised: 09/09/2024] [Accepted: 09/13/2024] [Indexed: 09/30/2024] Open
Abstract
Background: We investigated the expression of inflammation, placental development, and function markers, including cluster of differentiation 44 (CD44), osteopontin (OPN), and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), to shed light on the controversy regarding the impact of the COVID-19 epidemic on fetal development and pregnancy outcomes. Methods: We immunohistochemically analyzed placental tissue from 170 patients (65 COVID-positive and unvaccinated women; 35 Pfeizer-vaccinated and COVID-negative women; and 70 COVID-negative and unvaccinated women, without any other associated pathology) for particularities in the expression of these three molecules. Results: CD44 expression was highest in COVID-negative and unvaccinated women, moderate in COVID-positive cases, and lowest in vaccinated and COVID-negative women. OPN expression was highest in COVID-negative and Pfeizer-vaccinated cases, moderate in COVID-negative and unvaccinated cases, and lowest in COVID-positive cases. COX-2 expression was increased in COVID-negative and unvaccinated women, modestly elevated in COVID-positive and unvaccinated cases, and lowest in vaccinated cases. Conclusions: These findings reflected an alteration in the placental structure and consequent function due to altered expression of the three studied molecules.
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