Development of an immunoassay for the differentiation of menstrual blood from peripheral blood.
Forensic identification of body fluids is a crucial aspect of the discipline. To date, there are no robust tests to make a distinction between menstrual blood and peripheral blood. Past techniques have fallen short of producing clear and consistent results while present mRNA techniques are still in their infancy. The aim of this study was to develop of an accurate and rapid immunoassay based identification method. Three different targets were evaluated: matrix metalloproteinase 14 (MMP14), oestrogen receptor α (ERα), and fibrinogen. Cellular or membrane bound antigens were analyzed using immunocytochemical staining while soluble antigens were analyzed by indirect ELISA. Results showed that ERα and MMP14 are present in the endometrial cells of menstrual blood but absent in peripheral blood. At a total protein concentration of 10 μg/mL or lower, fibrinogen was detected in menstrual blood but absent in peripheral. If evaluated on a larger scale, immunoassays may prove to be beneficial in discriminating menstruum and peripheral blood.
King's College London, School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Department of Forensic Science and Drug Monitoring, Franklin-Wilkins Building, 150 Stamford Street, London SE1 9NH, UK.
Danielle
D
Gray
Nunzianda
N
Frascione
Barbara
B
Daniel
D004717:Endometrium / Q000166:cytology*; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D047628:Estrogen Receptor alpha / Q000097:blood* / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D005340:Fibrinogen / Q000032:analysis* / Q000276:immunology; D019085:Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Direct; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D049429:Forensic Pathology / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007211:Indoles; D053511:Matrix Metalloproteinase 14 / Q000097:blood* / Q000276:immunology; D008598:Menstruation / Q000097:blood*
D047628:Estrogen Receptor alpha; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D007211:Indoles; C007293:DAPI; D005340:Fibrinogen; D053511:Matrix Metalloproteinase 14