mRNA of placental origin is readily detectable in maternal plasma.
The discovery of circulating fetal nucleic acid in maternal plasma has opened up new possibilities for noninvasive prenatal diagnosis. Thus far, a gender- and polymorphism-independent fetal-specific target that can be used for prenatal screening and monitoring in all pregnant women has not been reported. In addition, the origin of such circulating nucleic acid has remained unclear. Here we provide direct evidence that the placenta is an important source of fetal nucleic acid release into maternal plasma by demonstrating that mRNA transcripts from placenta-expressed genes are readily detectable in maternal plasma. The surprising stability of such placental mRNA species in maternal plasma and their rapid clearance after delivery demonstrate that such circulating mRNA molecules are practical markers for clinical use. The measurement of such plasma mRNA markers has provided a gender-independent approach for noninvasive prenatal gene expression profiling and has opened up numerous research and diagnostic possibilities.
Ng
Enders K O
EK
Department of Chemical Pathology, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, Hong Kong.
Tsui
Nancy B Y
NB
Lau
Tze K
TK
Leung
Tse N
TN
Chiu
Rossa W K
RW
Panesar
Nirmal S
NS
Lit
Lydia C W
LC
Chan
Kam-Wing
KW
Lo
Y M Dennis
YM
D001483:Base Sequence; D001693:Biological Transport, Active; D017931:DNA Primers / Q000235:genetics; D005260:Female; D005333:Fetus / Q000378:metabolism; D020869:Gene Expression Profiling; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D008431:Maternal-Fetal Exchange / Q000235:genetics*; D010920:Placenta / Q000378:metabolism*; D010928:Placental Lactogen / Q000235:genetics; D011247:Pregnancy; D011296:Prenatal Diagnosis; D020871:RNA Stability; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000097:blood* / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
D017931:DNA Primers; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D010928:Placental Lactogen