Quantitative analysis of cellular fetal hemoglobin gamma chain messenger RNA (HbF-gamma mRNA) in maternal peripheral blood.
OBJECTIVE
Fetal cells cross the feto-maternal barrier and circulate in maternal peripheral blood; thus, this study aimed to show the relationship between clinical evidence in pregnancy and qualitative feto-maternal barrier changes.


METHODS
The expression of fetal hemoglobin gamma chain messenger RNA (HbF-gamma mRNA) was measured by quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) in maternal peripheral blood.


RESULTS
HbF-gamma mRNA was detected in all pregnant women after 5 weeks of gestation. In normal pregnancy, there were two peaks at 10 and 40 weeks, and a significant increase 4 weeks prior to the onset of labor. In intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR), preterm delivery and placenta previa, the HbF-gamma mRNA expression was significantly higher than in normal pregnancies.


CONCLUSIONS
The expression of HbF-gamma mRNA relative to that of beta-actin mRNA is thought to reflect the real-time leakage of fetal cells into maternal blood.
Okuda
Tomohiro
T
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kawaramachi Hirokouji, Kamigyo-ku, Kyoto 602-8566, Japan. tomokichi@abeam.ocn.ne.jp
Kinoshita
Yoshiyuki
Y
Tamura
Takaya
T
Kato
Chikako
C
Kojima
Hidenori
H
Watanabe
Ai
A
Honjo
Hideo
H
D016022:Case-Control Studies; D017931:DNA Primers; D005260:Female; D005312:Fetal Blood / Q000166:cytology*; D005319:Fetal Hemoglobin / Q000235:genetics*; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D049590:Postpartum Period / Q000097:blood; D011247:Pregnancy / Q000097:blood*; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000097:blood*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000097:blood*; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
D017931:DNA Primers; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D005319:Fetal Hemoglobin