Immunohistochemical evaluation of cannabinoid 1 and cannabinoid 2 protein expressions in COVID 19 placentas

Aim: The aim of our study is to examine the placental histopathological structure of the placentas of pregnant patients with COVID-19 by using Cannabinoid-1 and Cannabinoid-2 antibodies. Materials and methods: In our study, small pieces of placenta were taken for histological follow-up from 20 pregnant and 20 normal pregnant patients diagnosed with COVID-19 who were hospitalized in the Dicle University Faculty of Medicine Gynecology and Obstetrics clinic. Placental samples were stained with hematoxylin-eosin, Cannabinoid 1-2 immunohistochemistry staining and examined under light microscope. Results: Normal histological structure was observed in the placentas of the control group. In the placenta samples of patients belonging to the COVID-19 group, it was observed that the apoptotic process increased with pycnotic changes in the nuclei of decidua cells. An increase in fibrinoid tissue areas and enlarged syncytial bridges in chorionic villi were detected. In the area where the root villus was located, it was observed that the basement membrane was excessively thinned, along with the deterioration of the membrane structure, and the vessels were highly dilated and congested. Abundant invasion of freely dispersed erythrocytes and leukocytes in the intervillous space, hyalinized areas and hypertrophy in Hofbauer cells were remarkable. In immunohistochemical examination; It was observed that cannabinoid-1 expression increased in the decidua cells, cytotrophoblasts and Hofbauer cells in the maternal region, in the COVID-19 group compared to the control group. In the other section of the COVID-19 group, cannabinoid-2 expression increased especially in decidua cells, cytotrophoblasts, and syncytial bridges.Conclusion: CB-1 and CB-2 receptors are important in fetal development in trophoblastic invasion in placental development and in the regulation of angiogenesis in the vessels, which may play a role in preventing and affecting the development and severity of the disease, suppression of cell proliferation in the inflammation process due to oxidative stress in mothers with COVID-19, activation of endocannabinoids in the change of cytokine activity. thought to be a marker. Keywords: COVID-19, placenta, cannabinoid -1, cannabinoid-2, PAS, immunohistochemistry