Effect of Annexin V on Development of Apoptosis in Placental Syncytiotrophoblast Nuclei during Exacerbation of Cytomegalovirus Infection in the Third Trimester.

During exacerbation of cytomegalovirus infection during pregnancy, cytomegalovirus proteins penetrate across the external membrane of placental villous syncytiotrophoblast and suppress activities of ATPase and Bcl-2 protein. Simultaneous increase in the content of annexin V and caspase 3 leads to structural disturbances in DNA in syncytiotrophoblast nuclei and stimulates their apoptosis. Structural abnormalities in the syncytiotrophoblast during exacerbation of cytomegalovirus infection are dangerous for fetal development.