Minimal alteration in the ratio of circulatory fetal DNA to fetal corticotropin-releasing hormone mRNA level in preeclampsia.
OBJECTIVE
We have recently observed that fetal DNA and fetal corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) mRNA are associated with in vitro generated syncytiotrophoblast-derived microparticles, and that the ratio of fetal DNA to mRNA (CRH) varied according to whether the particles were derived by predominantly apoptotic, apo-necrotic or necrotic pathways. Hence, we examined whether these ratios varied in maternal plasma samples taken from normotensive and preeclamptic pregnancies in vivo.


METHODS
Maternal plasma samples were collected from 18 cases with preeclampsia and 29 normotensive term controls. Circulatory fetal CRH mRNA and DNA levels were quantified by real-time PCR and RT-PCR.


RESULTS
Circulatory fetal mRNA and fetal DNA levels were significantly elevated in the preeclampsia study group when compared to normotensive controls. Alterations in the fetal mRNA to DNA ratio between the study and control groups were minimal, even when stratified into early (<34 weeks of gestation) and late (>34 weeks of gestation) onset preeclampsia.


CONCLUSIONS
Our data suggest that although circulatory fetal DNA and mRNA levels are significantly elevated in preeclampsia, the ratios in maternal plasma are not dramatically altered.
Zhong
Xiao Yan
XY
Laboratory for Prenatal Medicine/Department of Research, University Women's Hospital, University of Basel, Switzerland.
Holzgreve
Wolfgang
W
Gebhardt
Stefan
S
Hillermann
Renate
R
Tofa
Kashefa Carelse
KC
Gupta
Anurag Kumar
AK
Huppertz
Berthold
B
Hahn
Sinuhe
S
D003346:Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone / Q000235:genetics*; D004247:DNA / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D005312:Fetal Blood / Q000737:chemistry*; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D011225:Pre-Eclampsia / Q000097:blood*; D011247:Pregnancy; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000097:blood*; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
D012333:RNA, Messenger; D004247:DNA; D003346:Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone