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Am J Perinatol 2024; 41(04): 445-451
DOI: 10.1055/s-0041-1740348
Original Article

Impact of Prematurity on the Buccal Epithelial Cells of the Neonates via Wnt/Beta-Catenin Signaling Pathway and Apoptosis

Hanife Guler Donmez 
1   Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey
,
Hasan Tolga Celik 
2   Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Science, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey
,
Gozdem Kayki 
2   Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Science, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey
,
Atakan Tanacan 
3   Division of Perinatology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey
4   Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Turkish Ministry of Health Ankara City Hospital, Ankara, Turkey
,
Murat Cagan 
3   Division of Perinatology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey
,
Sule Yigit 
2   Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Science, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey
,
Murat Yurdakok
2   Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Science, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey
,
Ayse Nur Cakar 
5   Department of Histology, Faculty of Medicine, TOBB University, Ankara, Turkey
,
Mehmet Sinan Beksac 
3   Division of Perinatology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey
› Author Affiliations Funding This study was funded by Hacettepe University Scientific Research Projects Coordination Unit, Project number: THD-2018-17493.
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Abstract

Objective Understanding the reflections of prematurity is necessary for the management of neonatal complications. We focused on the impact of prematurity and related “maternal risk factors/obstetric complications” on buccal cells of the neonates via evaluation of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway and apoptosis.

Study Design This study consisted of “early preterm neonates (EPN) (≤34th gestational week [gw]) (n = 36),” “late preterm neonates (LPN) (34th– < 37th gw) (n = 46),” and “term neonates (control) (≥37th gw) (n = 56).” Cohort was also subclassified according to the presence of maternal risk factors, obstetric complications, and neonatal complications. Wnt/β-catenin signaling and caspase-3 activation pathways were studied immunocytochemically.

Results Wnt/β-catenin signaling positivity was statistically more frequent at buccal smears of the EPN and LPN groups compared with controls (p < 0.001). The cutoff for gestational age at delivery in receiver operating characteristic curve with the best balance of sensitivity (67.4%) and specificity (67.3%) was 35.8th gw for determining the reduction of Wnt/β-catenin signaling positivity (p < 0.001). The study demonstrated that obstetric complications significantly affected the activity of signaling, while maternal risk factors do not have any effect on Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway (p = 0.003 and p = 0.828, respectively). This study also demonstrated a significant relationship between Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway and the presence of neonatal complications (p = 0.015).

Conclusion Dynamic characteristics of buccal cells are influenced by prematurity and related obstetric and neonatal problems. Buccal smear is a good tool to investigate the impact of prematurity and obstetric problems on perinatal outcome.

Key Points

  • Neonatal buccal cells are affected by prematurity and related obstetric/neonatal problems.

  • 35.8th gw is critical for determining the reduction of Wnt/β-catenin signaling positivity.

  • Obstetric and neonatal complications significantly related to Wnt/β-catenin signaling activity.

Keywords

pregnancy - preterm birth - buccal smear - Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway - apoptosis - caspase-3 - perinatal outcome

Authors' Contribution

H.G.D. contributed in study design, experiments, data analysis, statistical analysis, and writing; H.T.C. and S.Y. in study design and sample collection; G.K. in sample collection; A.T. in study design, statistical analysis, and literature research; M.C. in statistical analysis and literature research; and M.Y., A.N.C., and M.S.B. in study design and critical reading.


Ethical Approval

The study was approved by the Hacettepe University Ethics Committee with reference number GO18/495-43. The study was based in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki.


Data Availability Statement

Data sets are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.


Supplementary Material



Publication History

Received: 10 September 2021

Accepted: 01 November 2021

Article published online:
10 December 2021

© 2021. Thieme. All rights reserved.

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