Distribution of osteopontin, osteocalcin and osteonectin in normal and placenta percreta

Aim: The aim of this study was to compare the expression of osteopontin, osteocalcin and osteonectin in normal and placenta percreta tissues and to determine how the expression of these proteins is altered in placenta percreta. Material and Method: In this study, placenta and umbilical cord tissues from 10 patients with normal placental location and 10 patients with placenta percreta spectrum were used. Tissue samples from both groups were subjected to routine histologic follow-up. Histochemical staining was performed on 5 μm thick sections of the paraffin blocks obtained. For immunohistochemical analysis, osteopontin, osteocalcin and osteonectin antibodies were used and evaluated under light microscope and micrographs were taken. Results: In the placentas of both groups, osteopontin, osteocalcin and osteonectin immunoreactivity was not observed in some syncytiotrophoblast cells, whereas immunoreaction was observed in others. In normal placenta tissue samples, significant immunoreactivity was detected for all 3 antibodies at the points where synstial bridges and nodes were in common. In percreata placenta tissue samples, staining was more intense in chorionic villus stroma and Hofbauer cells for all 3 antibodies. While osteopontin, osteocalcin and osteonectin immunoreactivity was not observed in some of the decidua cells in normal and percreata placentas, immunoreaction was observed in some of them. Conclusion: In our study, osteopontin, osteocalcin and osteonectin were significantly observed in syncytiotrophoblast cells, especially in syncytial bridges, indicating the effects of these antibodies on cell-cell adhesion function. The strong staining of HH cells with these proteins and their increased number in placenta percreata tissues indicated that these cells may have phagocytic effects. It was also concluded that in both placenta samples, these antibodies play important roles in various processes such as implantation, cell movement and adhesion, decidualization and immune regulation during pregnancy.