Investigation of wipi 1 and wipi 2 protein levels in placentas of patients with preeclampsia

Aim: The aim of this study is to understand the relationship of WIPI1 and WIPI2 proteins with the pathophysiology of preeclampsia and to determine the potential role of these proteins in the development of preeclampsia. Material and Method: Small pieces will be taken for histological follow-up from the placentas of 40 healthy normotensive and 40 preeclampsia pregnant patients who gave birth to the study, which are non-viable, have no connection with the body, and will not be sent as a sample for pathology. After fixation (24 hours), tissues will be washed (1 night), passed through increasing alcohol series (50%, 70%, 80%, 90%, 96% and absolute ethyl alcohol series) and clearing (3x30 minutes in xylene) and then incubated at 58°. It will be taken into paraffin infiltration at C. Then, the tissues will be embedded in paraffin blocks and 4-6 μm thick sections will be taken from the blocks for Hematoxylin-Eosin and immunohistochemical stainings with the help of a microtome (catalog no: Leica RM2265, Wetzlar, Germany). In addition to these stainings, WIPI/1, WIPI/2 immunostaining is applied. Expression intensities and localizations were determined. Results: In the control group hematoxylin eosin staining findings, many smooth-looking floating chorionic villi were observed. It was observed that the villi consisted of syncytiotrophoblasts, cytotrophoblasts, connective tissue stroma and chorionic capillaries inwards. Compared to the control group, an intense expression of WIPI1 was observed in the placenta sections of this group. WIPI1 immune activity increased in the syncytial nodes and cytotrophoblast and syncytiotrophoblast cells that form the chorionic villus wall. Compared to the WIPI2 immune findings in the control group, more WIPI2 immune reactions were observed in the placenta sections of this group. WIPI2 expression was observed especially in the structures forming the placenta. WIPI2 expression in cytotrophoblast and syncytiotrophoblast cells forming the chorionic villus wall and syncytial nodes increased compared to the control group. Conclusion: This study showed that with preeclampsia, placental structures undergo pathological changes and these changes can be clearly observed by hematoxylin and eosin staining. Additionally, the significant increase in WIPI1 and WIPI2 expression in the preeclampsia group suggests that these proteins can be used as potential biomarkers in the pathophysiology of preeclampsia. Keywords: Preeclampsia, WD Repeat Domain Phosphoinositide-İnteracting Protein 1(WIPI 1), WD Repeat Domain Phosphoinositide-İnteracting Protein 2 (WIPI 2), placenta, immunohistochemistry