Placenta previa is often associated with preterm delivery, reduced
birth weight, a higher frequency of placental accreta and postpartum haemorrhage, and increased likelihood of
blood transfusion. The present study aimed to examine the expression of high mobility group box
protein 1 (
HMGB1) in the placenta of women with or without
placenta previa. The study group consisted of placental tissues obtained from women with or without
placenta previa. The expression levels of
HMGB1 and
vascular endothelial growth factor (
VEGF) were evaluated in the placental tissues using reverse transcription‑quantitative polymerase chain reaction, western blotting and immunohistochemistry. The
mRNA expression levels of
HMGB1 and
VEGF were significantly increased in the
placenta previa group compared with in the normal group. In addition, the
placenta previa group exhibited increased
HMGB1 and
VEGF staining in vascular endothelial cells and trophoblasts. There were no significant differences in the expression of
HMGB1 or
VEGF between groups with or without
placenta accreta or postpartum haemorrhage. The present study hypothesised that the increased expression of
HMGB1 in the placenta may be associated with the pathogenesis of
placenta previa by regulating the expression of the proangiogenic factor
VEGF.