Immunohistochemical Expression E-Cadherin in the Basement Membrane of Cytotrophoblast, Syncytiotrophoblast and Blood Vessels of Placenta of Pre-Eclampsia

Introduction: Pre - eclampsia is a severe pregnancy complication characterized by elevated blood pressure and proteinuria occurring after 20 weeks of gestation. It affects 2 - 5% of pregnancies worldwide. During early pregnancy, there is a temporary decrease in E - cadherin expression in trophoblastic cells as they invade the placenta. However, the role of E - cadherin in regulating placental vascularity remains poorly understood. This study aims to analyse the intensity and distribution of E - cadherin staining in the trophoblastic villi of healthy and pre - eclampsia placenta patients. Materials & Methods: This study was conducted in the Department of Pathology from September 2022 to December 2023. A total of 160 placenta samples were examined, consisting of 80 pre - eclampsia cases and 80 healthy controls. Immunohistochemistry was performed using antibodies against E - cadherin to evaluate its expression. The expression of E - cadherin was compared between cases and controls and correlated with clinicopathological parameters. Statistical analysis was conducted using the Chi - square test, and the mean and standard deviation were calculated. A p - value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The average age of participants was twenty - six years. Gross and microscopic findings such as necrosis, calcification, and thrombosis were more prevalent in pre - eclampsia placentas than in healthy controls, and these differences were statistically significant. Immunohistochemical analysis showed high (grade 3) and continuous E - cadherin expression in the majority of healthy placental villi. In contrast, pre - eclampsia placentas exhibited varied E - cadherin expression (grades 0, 1, 2, & 3) and discontinuity in staining, which were statistically significant findings. Conclusion: This study demonstrates that E - cadherin expression, as evaluated by immunohistochemistry, is reduced in intensity and discontinuous in the cytotrophoblast, syncytiotrophoblast, and blood vessels of pre - eclampsia placentas compared to normal placentas. These alterations may reflect abnormalities in maternal fetal junction, contributing to the development of pre - eclampsia.