EGFR expression in COVID19 placentas

Abstract

Introduction: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is a global health problem that has claimed many lives worldwide. The disease is affecting almost all populations, but it poses a particular risk for groups such as the elderly and those with chronic diseases. Although the number of studies on clinical situations involving pregnant women and their infants infected with COVID-19 is increasing, the factors supporting the negative association between COVID-19 and pregnancy remain unclear. In this study, we aimed to examine the placental histopathologic structure using EGFR (Epidermal Growth Factor) antibody in placentas of COVID-19 pregnant patients.
 Materials and methods: In our study, placentas of a total of 40 pregnant women (regardless of age), including 20 pregnant women with C0VID-19 and 20 normotensive pregnant women, were used, and placentas were compared histopathologically and immunohistochemically.
 Results: In the hematoxylin and eosin stained sections of the control group placentas, tissue integrity was preserved and cellular structures were normal. In the placentas of Covid -19 group patients, it was observed that degenerations increased and cellular deformations developed. In sections of control group placentas, EGFR expression was negative in decidual cells and in areas with syncytial nodes. EGFR expression was positive in cytotrophoblast cells. In placenta sections of Covid-19 patients, EGFR expression was positive in vascular endothelium and Hofbauer cells.
 Conclusion: In our study, it was observed that EGFR expression, an important biomarker in tissue regeneration, was inhibited. We also concluded that Covid-19 caused degeneration and inflammation in placental tissue.