In the third trimester of normal pregnancy, the mother tolerates daily shedding of several grams of dying placental trophoblast into the maternal circulation. The balance between apoptotic and necrotic shedding is presently unknown. Since pre-eclampsia is characterized by an altered placental oxygenation and increased trophoblast shedding, we investigated the role of oxygen on the balance of apoptotic versus necrotic trophoblast shedding in vitro. We studied human trophoblast turnover in explanted villi from late first and third trimester placentas in low oxygen (2 per cent) and higher oxygen tensions (6 per cent and 18 per cent) for up to 72h. Trophoblast turnover including apoptosis and necrosis were assessed by histology, immunolocalization of Mib-1 (proliferation marker), Bcl-2 (apoptosis inhibitor), activated caspase 3 (apoptosis promoter), cytokeratin 18 neo-epitope formation (M30 antibody), TUNEL test (DNA degradation), and (3)H-cytidine and(3) H-uridine incorporations. Culture in 2 per cent oxygen increased cytotrophoblast proliferation and syncytiotrophoblast shedding by necrosis. The proteins necessary for execution of apoptosis were mostly retained in the cytotrophoblast due to lack of syncytial fusion. Culture in 6 per cent and 18 per cent oxygen reduced cytotrophoblast proliferation. Syncytial fusion occurred and activity of caspase 3 was found in the syncytiotrophoblast; the latter remained intact demonstrating physiologic turnover, including apoptotic shedding. We conclude that severe placental hypoxia favours necrotic rather than apoptotic shedding of syncytial fragments into the maternal circulation. Since uteroplacental ischaemia is a significant risk factor for pre-eclampsia, these findings may explain the link between reduced uteroplacental blood flow and the systemic clinical manifestations of this disease.
