Decoding recurrent pregnancy loss: insights from comparative proteomics studies

Abstract Recurrent pregnancy loss represents a common disorder that affects up to 2% of the women aiming at childbirth with long-term consequences on family and society. Factors contributing to it in more than half of the cases are still unknown. Comparative proteomic analysis can provide new insights into the biological pathways underlining the pathogenesis of recurrent pregnancy loss. Until now, chorionic villi, decidua, placenta, endometrium, and maternal blood from women with recurrent pregnancy loss have been analyzed by comparative proteomics studies. In this review, we aimed to provide a critical evaluation of the published comparative studies of recurrent pregnancy loss on human samples, gathered by systematic literature search using PubMed and Google Scholar databases. We provide a detailed overview of the analyzed materials, proteomics platforms, proposed candidate biomarkers and altered pathways and processes linked with recurrent pregnancy loss. The top, most identified and validated biomarker candidates from all studies are discussed, followed by bioinformatics analysis of the available high-throughput data and presentation of common altered processes and pathways in recurrent pregnancy loss. Finally, future directions aimed at developing new and efficient therapeutic strategies are discussed as well.