A correlation analysis between the expression of pregnancy-associated plasma protein A in basal decidual cells and recurrent spontaneous abortion

The aim of this study was to investigate the correlation between the expression of pregnancy-associated plasma protein A (PAPP-A) in basal decidual cells and recurrent spontaneous abortion (RSA). A total of 39 patients with a history of RSA were enrolled into the RSA group. A further 30 females who had experienced normal pregnancy were enrolled into the control group. The mRNA expression of PAPP-A in basal decidual cells was analyzed using real-time PCR. The distribution and expression of PAPP-A protein levels in basal decidual cells were analyzed by immunohistochemistry. The correlation between PAPP-A protein levels and RSA was analyzed. The levels of PAPP-A mRNA in the RSA group were significantly decreased, compared with the control group (P<0.05). Consistent with the mRNA levels, the protein levels of PAPP-A were also significantly lower in the RSA group compared with the control group (P<0.05). Multivariate logistic analysis indicated that the suppression of PAPP-A was one of the risk factors for RSA. Furthermore, Hosmer-Lemeshow analysis suggested that the expression levels of PAPP-A is an important factor for predicting RSA. In conclusion, the expression levels of the PAPP-A protein were significantly reduced in basal decidual cells of the RSA group compared with the control group. Therefore, PAPP-A is likely to play an important role in RSA.