Serum levels of HSP60 and GroEL as biomarkers of risk for pregnancy loss in women in the first trimester of gestation
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.15574/PP.2025.3(103).2327Keywords:
HSP60, GroEL, pregnancy loss, biomarkers, first trimester, retrochorionic hematoma, immunological dysfunction, prospective studyAbstract
Pregnancy loss (PL) remains a leading cause of reproductive failure worldwide and in Ukraine. Despite advances in prenatal diagnostics, in 40-50% of cases the etiology of PL remains unidentified, highlighting the need for new biomarkers.
Aim - to evaluate serum levels of Heat Shock Protein 60 (HSP60) and bacterial chaperonin GroEL in women in the I trimester and determine their prognostic value for PL risk.
Materials and methods. A prospective study included 94 pregnant women at 6-12 weeks of gestation. The main group consisted of 61 women with threatened miscarriage and/or a complicated reproductive history; the control group included 33 women with physiological pregnancies. Clinical and ultrasound data (cervical length, chorion localization, retrochorionic hematoma) were recorded. HSP60 and GroEL serum levels were measured using ELISA. Statistical analysis included t-test, χ², correlation analysis, and ROC analysis.
Results. GroEL positively correlated with retrochorionic hematoma presence, whereas HSP60 showed a weak negative association with cervical length. HSP60 concentrations were higher in the main group, and GroEL levels were significantly higher in women the control group. The Area Under the ROC Curve for GroEL was 0.73, indicating satisfactory prognostic value, while HSP60 showed limited diagnostic significance - 0.62.
Conclusions. Increased GroEL levels in the I trimester are associated with PL risk and demonstrate sufficient prognostic accuracy. HSP60 has limited diagnostic value. Combined assessment of biomarkers with clinical and ultrasound parameters improves early PL prediction. Measuring HSP60 and GroEL may be recommended as an additional component of risk assessment algorithms.
The study was conducted in accordance with the principles of the Helsinki Declaration. The study protocol was approved by the local ethics committee. Informed consent was obtained from the pregnant women participating in the study.
The authors declare no conflict of interest.
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