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Gabrielli F, Papa FT, Di Pietro F, Paytuví-Gallart A, Julian D, Sanseverino W, Alfonsi C. MaterniCode: New Bioinformatic Pipeline to Detect Fetal Aneuploidies and Rearrangements Using Next-Generation Sequencing. Int J Genomics 2024; 2024:8859058. [PMID: 38962150 PMCID: PMC11221998 DOI: 10.1155/2024/8859058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2023] [Revised: 05/16/2024] [Accepted: 05/23/2024] [Indexed: 07/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Objective: The present study is aimed at introducing and evaluating MaterniCode, a state-of-the-art bioinformatic pipeline for noninvasive prenatal testing (NIPT) that leverages the Ion Torrent semiconductor sequencing platform. The initiative strives to revolutionize prenatal diagnostics by offering a rapid and cost-effective method without sacrificing accuracy. Methods: Two distinct bioinformatic strategies were employed for fetal sex determination, one of which achieved 100% accuracy. We analyzed 1225 maternal blood samples for fetal aneuploidies, benchmarking against the industry standard Illumina VeriSeq™ NIPT Solution v2. The capability of MaterniCode to detect and characterize complex chromosomal anomalies was also assessed. Results: MaterniCode achieved near-perfect accuracy in fetal sex determination through chromosome Y (chrY )-specific gene analysis, whereas the alternative method, employing the ratio of high-quality mapped reads on chrY relative to all reads, delivered 100% accuracy. For fetal aneuploidy detection, both the integrated WisecondorX and NIPTeR algorithms demonstrated a 100% sensitivity and specificity rate, consistent with Illumina VeriSeq™ NIPT Solution v2. The pipeline also successfully identified and precisely mapped significant chromosomal abnormalities, exemplified by a 2.4 Mb deletion on chromosome 13 and a 3 Mb duplication on chromosome 2. Conclusion: MaterniCode has proven to be an innovative and highly efficient tool in the domain of NIPT, demonstrating excellent sensitivity and specificity. Its robust capability to effectively detect a wide range of complex chromosomal aberrations, including rare and subtle variations, positions it as a promising and valuable addition to prenatal diagnostic technologies. This enhancement to diagnostic precision significantly aids clinicians in making informed decisions during pregnancy management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federico Gabrielli
- Biolab srl, Laboratorio di Genetica molecolare e Genomica 63100, Ascoli Piceno, Italy
| | - Filomena Tiziana Papa
- Biolab srl, Laboratorio di Genetica molecolare e Genomica 63100, Ascoli Piceno, Italy
| | - Fabio Di Pietro
- Biolab srl, Laboratorio di Genetica molecolare e Genomica 63100, Ascoli Piceno, Italy
| | | | - Daniel Julian
- Sequentia Biotech SL, C/del Dr. Trueta, 179 08005, Barcelona, Spain
| | | | - Cinzia Alfonsi
- Biolab srl, Laboratorio di Genetica molecolare e Genomica 63100, Ascoli Piceno, Italy
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Eltabbakh N, Mohasin Y, Jeddy R. Advancements of non-invasive prenatal testing: the role of obstetricians. Front Med (Lausanne) 2024; 11:1388481. [PMID: 38938382 PMCID: PMC11208619 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2024.1388481] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2024] [Accepted: 05/20/2024] [Indexed: 06/29/2024] Open
Abstract
Since its debut in 2011, Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing (NIPT) has continually demonstrated its effectiveness in detecting an expanding number of diseases. NIPT offers a less invasive approach to prenatal chromosomal disease screening, providing prospective parents with vital information to better prepare for their potential pregnancy outcomes. NIPT was primarily designed for screening trisomy 13, 18, and 21. However, its scope has since broadened to encompass microdeletions and autosomal dominant monogenic diseases. Conversely, the normalization of NIPT can have unintended consequences. Some patients opt for NIPT without any medical indications, driven by a desire to remain cautious. This over-screening for chromosomal abnormalities can exacerbate pregnancy-related anxiety, as individuals might feel pressured into taking the test unnecessarily. While NIPT can be highly successful when conducted correctly, it is not infallible, and obstetricians play a crucial role in managing patient expectations. This includes providing genetic counseling to individuals with relevant genetic information regarding their personal and family histories. In the context of NIPT, a bioinformatics analysis is performed on a cell-free DNA (cfDNA) sample extracted from the mother's placenta to determine the fetal fraction (FF). This FF measurement is vital for quality control and ensuring statistical confidence in the test results. Raising awareness among clinicians about the significance of FF enhances patient care and alleviate concerns about the possibility of failed NIPT. This paper aims to explore the ongoing debates and more specifically the significance and pitfalls of NIPT on a psychosocial and ethical scale, all while highlighting the importance of genetic counseling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nada Eltabbakh
- Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (Bahrain), Muharraq, Bahrain
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İleri A, Yıldırım Karaca S, İleri H, Karaca İ, Gölbaşı H, Özer M, Budak A, Kutbay YB, Koç A, Özeren M. The effect of progesterone supplementation in women with threatened miscarriage on fetal fraction in non-invasive prenatal testing: A matched case-control study. J Gynecol Obstet Hum Reprod 2023; 52:102662. [PMID: 37659577 DOI: 10.1016/j.jogoh.2023.102662] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2022] [Revised: 08/03/2023] [Accepted: 08/28/2023] [Indexed: 09/04/2023]
Abstract
AIM To evaluate the effect of progesterone use on fetal fraction (FF) in non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) due to the threat of first trimester miscarriage. METHODS This case control study included the pregnant who were referred to our clinic for non-invasive prenatal testing. The patients were categorized into three groups: Pregnant women with vaginal bleeding and using progesterone, pregnant women with vaginal bleeding and not using progesterone, and pregnant women without bleeding. The groups were formed by matching gestational week. Women with multiple pregnancy, BMI (body mass index) ≥25, abnormal fetal karyotype, and chronic disease were excluded from the study. Maternal characteristics, FF of the NIPT were recruited from the computer based medical records. RESULTS A total of 10,275 NIPT tests were performed during the study period. 3% of the patients (n = 308) were found at risk of miscarriage. 100 patients with a vaginal bleeding and 50 control patients were matched. The median value of the fetal fraction ratio was found to be 6.55 in pregnant women without vaginal bleeding, 7.05 in pregnant women who had vaginal bleeding and using progesterone, and 7.3 in pregnant women who had vaginal bleeding and did not use progesterone. Although the fetal fraction ratio was found to be higher in pregnant women with vaginal bleeding and lower in progesterone users, this situation could not reach the level of statistical significance (p = 0.351). CONCLUSIONS The fetal fraction rate in maternal blood is not affected in pregnant women who use progesterone due to vaginal bleeding in early gestational weeks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alper İleri
- Tepecik Education and Research Hospital, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Izmir, Turkey.
| | - Suna Yıldırım Karaca
- Tepecik Education and Research Hospital, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Hande İleri
- Tepecik Education and Research Hospital, Department of Family Medicine, Izmir, Turkey
| | - İbrahim Karaca
- İzmir Bakircay University, Çiğli Education and Research Hospital, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Hakan Gölbaşı
- Tepecik Education and Research Hospital, Department of Perinatology, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Mehmet Özer
- Tepecik Education and Research Hospital, Department of Perinatology, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Adnan Budak
- Tepecik Education and Research Hospital, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Yasar Bekir Kutbay
- Tepecik Education and Research Hospital, Genetic Diagnosis Center, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Altuğ Koç
- Tepecik Education and Research Hospital, Genetic Diagnosis Center, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Mehmet Özeren
- Tepecik Education and Research Hospital, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Izmir, Turkey
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Verebi C, Gravrand V, Pacault M, Audrezet MP, Couque N, Vincent MC, Leturcq F, Tsatsaris V, Bienvenu T, Nectoux J. [Towards a generalization of non-invasive prenatal diagnosis of single-gene disorders? Assesment and outlook]. GYNECOLOGIE, OBSTETRIQUE, FERTILITE & SENOLOGIE 2023; 51:463-470. [PMID: 37517661 DOI: 10.1016/j.gofs.2023.07.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2023] [Revised: 07/06/2023] [Accepted: 07/19/2023] [Indexed: 08/01/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The screening of fetal aneuploidies and non-invasive prenatal diagnosis of monogenic diseases (NIPD-MD) both rely on the study of free fetal DNA in maternal circulation, but their respective rise was unequal. Development of NIPD-MD has taken longer as it represents a less attractive commercial dynamic for industry, but also because it usually involves the development of tailored tests specific to each pathogenic variant. METHODS We have carried out a review of the literature on the various indications and technologies involved in the use of NIPD-MM. We present its current implementation and its development in France. RESULTS To date, NIPD-MD has been routinely offered in France for several years by the laboratories of the French NIPD-MD network but remains mostly limited to the exclusion of paternal or de novo variants, the exclusion DPNI-MD. Indeed, it is still difficult to study the transmission of maternal variants from circulating free DNA analysis, due to its biological complexity: coexistence and predominance of similar DNA sequences of maternal origin. Different strategies, either direct or indirect, are being evaluated to establish fetal status regardless of the parental origin of the disease or its transmission mode. The emergence of commercial screening solutions for monogenic diseases complements the arsenal of prenatal exploration tools for these diseases. CONCLUSION The multitude of existing technologies and protocols may complicate the information provided during antenatal consultations, but mastery of know-how and knowledge of ethical issues of NIPD-MD will ensure optimal service and better management of pregnancies at risk of transmitting monogenic disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camille Verebi
- Service de médecine génomique des maladies de système et d'organe, Fédération de génétique et de médecine génomique, AP-HP centre, université Paris Cité, hôpital Cochin, 27, rue du Faubourg Saint-Jacques, 75014 Paris, France; Université de Paris Cité, Institute of Psychiatry and Neuroscience of Paris (IPNP), Inserm UMR1266, « Genetic vulnerability to addictive and psychiatric disorders » team, Paris, France
| | - Victor Gravrand
- Service de médecine génomique des maladies de système et d'organe, Fédération de génétique et de médecine génomique, AP-HP centre, université Paris Cité, hôpital Cochin, 27, rue du Faubourg Saint-Jacques, 75014 Paris, France
| | - Mathilde Pacault
- Laboratoire de génétique moléculaire et d'histocompatibilité, centre hospitalier régional universitaire, Brest, France
| | - Marie-Pierre Audrezet
- Laboratoire de génétique moléculaire et d'histocompatibilité, centre hospitalier régional universitaire, Brest, France
| | - Nathalie Couque
- Service de génétique, AP-HP, hôpital Robert-Debré, 75019 Paris, France
| | - Marie-Claire Vincent
- Génétique moléculaire et cytogénomique, centre hospitalier universitaire de Montpellier, 34000 Montpellier, France
| | - France Leturcq
- Service de médecine génomique des maladies de système et d'organe, Fédération de génétique et de médecine génomique, AP-HP centre, université Paris Cité, hôpital Cochin, 27, rue du Faubourg Saint-Jacques, 75014 Paris, France
| | - Vassilis Tsatsaris
- Gynécologie-obstétrique, Maternité Port-Royal, AP-HP centre, université Paris Cité, hôpital Cochin, 75014 Paris, France
| | - Thierry Bienvenu
- Service de médecine génomique des maladies de système et d'organe, Fédération de génétique et de médecine génomique, AP-HP centre, université Paris Cité, hôpital Cochin, 27, rue du Faubourg Saint-Jacques, 75014 Paris, France; Université de Paris Cité, Institute of Psychiatry and Neuroscience of Paris (IPNP), Inserm UMR1266, « Genetic vulnerability to addictive and psychiatric disorders » team, Paris, France
| | - Juliette Nectoux
- Service de médecine génomique des maladies de système et d'organe, Fédération de génétique et de médecine génomique, AP-HP centre, université Paris Cité, hôpital Cochin, 27, rue du Faubourg Saint-Jacques, 75014 Paris, France.
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Hui L, Ellis K, Mayen D, Pertile MD, Reimers R, Sun L, Vermeesch J, Vora NL, Chitty LS. Position statement from the International Society for Prenatal Diagnosis on the use of non-invasive prenatal testing for the detection of fetal chromosomal conditions in singleton pregnancies. Prenat Diagn 2023; 43:814-828. [PMID: 37076973 DOI: 10.1002/pd.6357] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2023] [Accepted: 04/15/2023] [Indexed: 04/21/2023]
Abstract
Key points
What is already known about this topic?
In 2015, the International Society for Prenatal Diagnosis (ISPD) published its first position statement on the use of non‐invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) to screen for aneuploidy. Widespread uptake across the globe and subsequent published research has shed new light on test performance and implementation issues.
What does this study add?
This new position statement replaces the 2015 statement with updated information on the current technologies, clinical experience, and implementation practices.
As an international organization, ISPD recognizes that there are important population‐specific considerations in the organization of prenatal screening and diagnosis. These opinions are designed to apply to high income settings where prenatal screening for aneuploidy is an established part of antenatal care.
This position statement is not a clinical practice guideline but represents the consensus opinion of the current ISPD Board based on the current state of knowledge and clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa Hui
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
- Reproductive Epidemiology Group, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Perinatal Medicine, Mercy Hospital for Women, Heidelberg, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Northern Health, Epping, Victoria, Australia
| | - Katie Ellis
- Illumina ANZ, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Dora Mayen
- Genetics Clinic, Hospital Angeles Lomas, Estado de Mexico, Mexico
| | - Mark D Pertile
- Victorian Clinical Genetics Services, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Rebecca Reimers
- San Diego Perinatal Center, Rady Children's Hospital, San Diego, California, USA
- Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Luming Sun
- Department of Fetal Medicine & Prenatal Diagnosis Center, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | | | - Neeta L Vora
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Division of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Lyn S Chitty
- Great Ormond Street NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
- UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, London, UK
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Zhou Y, Wang Y, Addai FP, Li X, Zhang X, Liu H, Yang G, Zeng F, Jiang T, Liu J. Analysis of cell-free fetal DNA in 16,843 pregnant women from a single center in China using targeted sequencing approach. Placenta 2022; 122:18-22. [DOI: 10.1016/j.placenta.2022.03.126] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2022] [Revised: 03/16/2022] [Accepted: 03/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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de Miranda FS, Barauna VG, dos Santos L, Costa G, Vassallo PF, Campos LCG. Properties and Application of Cell-Free DNA as a Clinical Biomarker. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:9110. [PMID: 34502023 PMCID: PMC8431421 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22179110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2021] [Revised: 04/18/2021] [Accepted: 04/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Biomarkers are valuable tools in clinical practice. In 2001, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) standardized the definition of a biomarker as a characteristic that is objectively measured and evaluated as an indicator of normal biological processes, pathogenic processes, or pharmacological responses to a therapeutic intervention. A biomarker has clinical relevance when it presents precision, standardization and reproducibility, suitability to the patient, straightforward interpretation by clinicians, and high sensitivity and/or specificity by the parameter it proposes to identify. Thus, serum biomarkers should have advantages related to the simplicity of the procedures and to the fact that venous blood collection is commonplace in clinical practice. We described the potentiality of cfDNA as a general clinical biomarker and focused on endothelial dysfunction. Circulating cell-free DNA (cfDNA) refers to extracellular DNA present in body fluid that may be derived from both normal and diseased cells. An increasing number of studies demonstrate the potential use of cfDNA as a noninvasive biomarker to determine physiologic and pathologic conditions. However, although still scarce, increasing evidence has been reported regarding using cfDNA in cardiovascular diseases. Here, we have reviewed the history of cfDNA, its source, molecular features, and release mechanism. We also show recent studies that have investigated cfDNA as a possible marker of endothelial damage in clinical settings. In the cardiovascular system, the studies are quite new, and although interesting, stronger evidence is still needed. However, some drawbacks in cfDNA methodologies should be overcome before its recommendation as a biomarker in the clinical setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Felipe Silva de Miranda
- Post Graduation Program in Biology and Biotechnology of Microorganisms, State University of Santa Cruz, Ilhéus 45662-900, Bahia, Brazil;
- Department of Biological Science, State University of Santa Cruz, Ilhéus 45662-900, Bahia, Brazil
- Laboratory of Applied Pathology and Genetics, State University of Santa Cruz, Ilhéus 45662-900, Bahia, Brazil
| | - Valério Garrone Barauna
- Post Graduation Program in Health Sciences, State University of Santa Cruz, Ilhéus 45662-900, Bahia, Brazil;
- Molecular Physiology Laboratory of Exercise Science, Federal University of Espírito Santo, Vitória 29075-910, Espírito Santo, Brazil
- Post Graduation Program in Physiological Sciences, Federal University of Espírito Santo, Vitória 29075-910, Espírito Santo, Brazil; (G.C.); (P.F.V.)
| | - Leandro dos Santos
- Academic Unit of Serra Talhada, Rural Federal University of Pernambuco, Serra Talhada 56909-535, Pernambuco, Brazil;
| | - Gustavo Costa
- Post Graduation Program in Physiological Sciences, Federal University of Espírito Santo, Vitória 29075-910, Espírito Santo, Brazil; (G.C.); (P.F.V.)
| | - Paula Frizera Vassallo
- Post Graduation Program in Physiological Sciences, Federal University of Espírito Santo, Vitória 29075-910, Espírito Santo, Brazil; (G.C.); (P.F.V.)
- Clinical Hospital, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte 30130-100, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Luciene Cristina Gastalho Campos
- Post Graduation Program in Biology and Biotechnology of Microorganisms, State University of Santa Cruz, Ilhéus 45662-900, Bahia, Brazil;
- Department of Biological Science, State University of Santa Cruz, Ilhéus 45662-900, Bahia, Brazil
- Laboratory of Applied Pathology and Genetics, State University of Santa Cruz, Ilhéus 45662-900, Bahia, Brazil
- Post Graduation Program in Health Sciences, State University of Santa Cruz, Ilhéus 45662-900, Bahia, Brazil;
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Rosner M, Kolbe T, Hengstschläger M. Fetomaternal microchimerism and genetic diagnosis: On the origins of fetal cells and cell-free fetal DNA in the pregnant woman. MUTATION RESEARCH. REVIEWS IN MUTATION RESEARCH 2021; 788:108399. [PMID: 34893150 DOI: 10.1016/j.mrrev.2021.108399] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2021] [Revised: 11/11/2021] [Accepted: 11/14/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
During pregnancy several types of fetal cells and fetal stem cells, including pregnancy-associated progenitor cells (PAPCs), traffic into the maternal circulation. Whereas they also migrate to various maternal organs and adopt the phenotype of the target tissues to contribute to regenerative processes, fetal cells also play a role in the pathogenesis of maternal diseases. In addition, cell-free fetal DNA (cffDNA) is detectable in the plasma of pregnant women. Together they constitute the well-known phenomenon of fetomaternal microchimerism, which inspired the concept of non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) using maternal blood. An in-depth knowledge concerning the origins of these fetal cells and cffDNA allows a more comprehensive understanding of the biological relevance of fetomaternal microchimerism and has implications for the ongoing expansion of resultant clinical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margit Rosner
- Institute of Medical Genetics, Center for Pathobiochemistry and Genetics, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Thomas Kolbe
- Biomodels Austria, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, Austria; Department IFA Tulln, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Tulln, Austria
| | - Markus Hengstschläger
- Institute of Medical Genetics, Center for Pathobiochemistry and Genetics, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
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9
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Chiu RWK, Lo YMD. Cell-free fetal DNA coming in all sizes and shapes. Prenat Diagn 2021; 41:1193-1201. [PMID: 33882153 PMCID: PMC8518878 DOI: 10.1002/pd.5952] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2021] [Revised: 03/29/2021] [Accepted: 04/16/2021] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
Cell‐free fetal DNA analysis has an established role in prenatal assessments. It serves as a source of fetal genetic material that is accessible non‐invasively from maternal blood. Through the years, evidence has accumulated to show that cell‐free fetal DNA molecules are derived from placental tissues, are mainly of short DNA fragments and have rapid post‐delivery clearance profiles. But questions regarding how they come to being short molecules from placental cells and in which physical forms do they exist remained largely unanswered until recently. We now know that the distributions of ending sites of cell‐free DNA molecules are non‐random across the genome and bear correlations with the chromatin structures of cells from which they have originated. Such an insight offers ways to deduce the tissue‐of‐origin of these molecules. Besides, the physical nature and sequence characteristics of the ends of each cell‐free DNA molecule provide tell‐tale signs of how the DNA fragmentation processes are orchestrated by nuclease enzymes. These realizations offered opportunities to develop methods for enriching cell‐free fetal DNA to facilitate non‐invasive prenatal diagnostics. Here we aimed to collate what is known about the biological and physical characteristics of cell‐free fetal DNA into one article and explain the implications of these observations.
What’s already known about this topic?
Cell‐free fetal DNA originates from placental tissues and circulates in maternal plasma as a minor population in the form of short fragments which disappears from maternal circulation rapidly after delivery.
What does this study add?
Cell‐free DNA studies at the per molecule per nucleotide level documented the detailed genomic distributions, fragment end characteristics and physical forms of cell‐free DNA unveiling the fine feature differences between maternal and fetal DNA as well as their intricate relationships with the chromatin structure of the cells‐of‐origin. These studies have substantially bridged the knowledge gaps in the biology of cell‐free fetal DNA and may provide insights on how to enhance prenatal tests based on their analyses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rossa W K Chiu
- Centre for Novostics, Hong Kong Science Park, New Territories, Hong Kong SAR, China.,Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Sciences and Department of Chemical Pathology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, New Territories, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Y M Dennis Lo
- Centre for Novostics, Hong Kong Science Park, New Territories, Hong Kong SAR, China.,Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Sciences and Department of Chemical Pathology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, New Territories, Hong Kong SAR, China
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10
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The Amniotic Fluid Cell-Free Transcriptome Provides Novel Information about Fetal Development and Placental Cellular Dynamics. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22052612. [PMID: 33807645 PMCID: PMC7961801 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22052612] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2021] [Revised: 02/28/2021] [Accepted: 03/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The amniotic fluid (AF) is a complex biofluid that reflects fetal well-being during development. AF con be divided into two fractions, the supernatant and amniocytes. The supernatant contains cell-free components, including placenta-derived microparticles, protein, cell-free fetal DNA, and cell-free fetal RNA from the fetus. Cell-free mRNA (cfRNA) analysis holds a special position among high-throughput analyses, such as transcriptomics, proteomics, and metabolomics, owing to its ease of profiling. The AF cell-free transcriptome differs from the amniocyte transcriptome and alters with the progression of pregnancy and is often associated with the development of various organ systems including the fetal lung, skin, brain, pancreas, adrenal gland, gastrointestinal system, etc. The AF cell-free transcriptome is affected not only by normal physiologies, such as fetal sex, gestational age, and fetal maturity, but also by pathologic mechanisms such as maternal obesity, and genetic syndromes (Down, Edward, Turner, etc.), as well as pregnancy complications (preeclampsia, intrauterine growth restriction, preterm birth, etc.). cfRNA in the amniotic fluid originates from the placenta and fetal organs directly contacting the amniotic fluid as well as from the fetal plasma across the placenta. The AF transcriptome may reflect the fetal and placental development and therefore aid in the monitoring of normal and abnormal development.
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11
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Non invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) for common aneuploidies and beyond. Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol 2021; 258:424-429. [PMID: 33550217 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejogrb.2021.01.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2020] [Revised: 12/20/2020] [Accepted: 01/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Non invasive prenatal Testing (NIPT) is changing the practice of prenatal diagnosis worldwide. It provides high sensitivity and specificity in screening for common aneuploidies. As a result, it has reduced the number of invasive procedures, thereby reducing their associated risk of pregnancy miscarriage. NIPT is based on the detection and analysis of cell free fetal DNA (cffDNA) that is obtained from a maternal peripheral blood sample. Advanced laboratory detection and purification technology has improved the performance of NIPT and allowed the introduction of new applications in recent years. The introduction of Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) into clinical practice has rendered NIPT to have high sensitivity in the screening of aneuploidy. It has also allowed detecting and investigating the fetal genome from maternal plasma. Fetal Whole Exome Sequencing (WES) provides non invasive prenatal diagnosis of inherited monogenic disorders and can also offer a diagnosis of an underlying cause of fetal anomalies that have a normal karyotype. The following will review the current and potential future applications of NIPT and discuss the advantages and disadvantages of the various NIPT techniques. The role of public healthcare system plays in the provision of the test, and the psychological impact of NIPT on the end-users will also be highlighted.
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12
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Koçana CÇ, Toprak SF, Sözer S. Extracellular genetic materials and their application in clinical practice. Cancer Genet 2020; 252-253:48-63. [PMID: 33387935 DOI: 10.1016/j.cancergen.2020.12.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2020] [Revised: 11/12/2020] [Accepted: 12/20/2020] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
This study reviews the possible origins, functional roles, and diagnostic applications of 'extracellular genetic material' (EGM), a novel term introduced to cover DNA, RNA, and DNA/RNA-related molecules released from all types of cells into the extracellular region. The literature on EGMs shows them to play a dual role in diverse, fine-tuning mechanisms involved in both homeostasis and pathological events, including cancerogenesis and genometastasis. Recent developments in the next-generation technology have provided successful applications of low quantities of genomic materials into the diagnostic field, yielding high sensitivity and specificity in test results. Also, the successful application of EGMs into diagnostics has afforded promising outcomes for researchers and clinicians. This study of EGM provides a deeper understanding of the subject as an area of interest, especially cell-free DNA, aiming toward the eventual development of new therapeutic applications and diagnostic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cemal Çağıl Koçana
- Department of Genetic, Aziz Sancar Institute of Experimental Medicine, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Selin Fulya Toprak
- Department of Genetic, Aziz Sancar Institute of Experimental Medicine, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Selçuk Sözer
- Department of Genetic, Aziz Sancar Institute of Experimental Medicine, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey.
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13
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Rahat B, Ali T, Sapehia D, Mahajan A, Kaur J. Circulating Cell-Free Nucleic Acids as Epigenetic Biomarkers in Precision Medicine. Front Genet 2020; 11:844. [PMID: 32849827 PMCID: PMC7431953 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2020.00844] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2020] [Accepted: 07/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The circulating cell-free nucleic acids (ccfNAs) are a mixture of single- or double-stranded nucleic acids, released into the blood plasma/serum by different tissues via apoptosis, necrosis, and secretions. Under healthy conditions, ccfNAs originate from the hematopoietic system, whereas under various clinical scenarios, the concomitant tissues release ccfNAs into the bloodstream. These ccfNAs include DNA, RNA, microRNA (miRNA), long non-coding RNA (lncRNA), fetal DNA/RNA, and mitochondrial DNA/RNA, and act as potential biomarkers in various clinical conditions. These are associated with different epigenetic modifications, which show disease-related variations and so finding their role as epigenetic biomarkers in clinical settings. This field has recently emerged as the latest advance in precision medicine because of its clinical relevance in diagnostic, prognostic, and predictive values. DNA methylation detected in ccfDNA has been widely used in personalized clinical diagnosis; furthermore, there is also the emerging role of ccfRNAs like miRNA and lncRNA as epigenetic biomarkers. This review focuses on the novel approaches for exploring ccfNAs as epigenetic biomarkers in personalized clinical diagnosis and prognosis, their potential as therapeutic targets and disease progression monitors, and reveals the tremendous potential that epigenetic biomarkers present to improve precision medicine. We explore the latest techniques for both quantitative and qualitative detection of epigenetic modifications in ccfNAs. The data on epigenetic modifications on ccfNAs are complex and often milieu-specific posing challenges for its understanding. Artificial intelligence and deep networks are the novel approaches for decoding complex data and providing insight into the decision-making in precision medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beenish Rahat
- National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Taqveema Ali
- Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India
| | - Divika Sapehia
- Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India
| | - Aatish Mahajan
- Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India
| | - Jyotdeep Kaur
- Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India
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14
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Zhytnik L, Simm K, Salumets A, Peters M, Märtson A, Maasalu K. Reproductive options for families at risk of Osteogenesis Imperfecta: a review. Orphanet J Rare Dis 2020; 15:128. [PMID: 32460820 PMCID: PMC7251694 DOI: 10.1186/s13023-020-01404-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2020] [Accepted: 05/11/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Osteogenesis Imperfecta (OI) is a rare genetic disorder involving bone fragility. OI patients typically suffer from numerous fractures, skeletal deformities, shortness of stature and hearing loss. The disorder is characterised by genetic and clinical heterogeneity. Pathogenic variants in more than 20 different genes can lead to OI, and phenotypes can range from mild to lethal forms. As a genetic disorder which undoubtedly affects quality of life, OI significantly alters the reproductive confidence of families at risk. The current review describes a selection of the latest reproductive approaches which may be suitable for prospective parents faced with a risk of OI. The aim of the review is to alleviate suffering in relation to family planning around OI, by enabling prospective parents to make informed and independent decisions. Main body The current review provides a comprehensive overview of possible reproductive options for people with OI and for unaffected carriers of OI pathogenic genetic variants. The review considers reproductive options across all phases of family planning, including pre-pregnancy, fertilisation, pregnancy, and post-pregnancy. Special attention is given to the more modern techniques of assisted reproduction, such as preconception carrier screening, preimplantation genetic testing for monogenic diseases and non-invasive prenatal testing. The review outlines the methodologies of the different reproductive approaches available to OI families and highlights their advantages and disadvantages. These are presented as a decision tree, which takes into account the autosomal dominant and autosomal recessive nature of the OI variants, and the OI-related risks of people without OI. The complex process of decision-making around OI reproductive options is also discussed from an ethical perspective. Conclusion The rapid development of molecular techniques has led to the availability of a wide variety of reproductive options for prospective parents faced with a risk of OI. However, such options may raise ethical concerns in terms of methodologies, choice management and good clinical practice in reproductive care, which are yet to be fully addressed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lidiia Zhytnik
- Clinic of Traumatology and Orthopaedics, Tartu University Hospital, Tartu, Estonia.
| | - Kadri Simm
- Institute of Philosophy and Semiotics, Faculty of Arts and Humanities, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia.,Centre of Ethics, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Andres Salumets
- Competence Centre on Health Technologies, Tartu, Estonia.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia.,Institute of Genomics, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia.,COMBIVET ERA Chair, Institute of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, Estonian University of Life Sciences, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Maire Peters
- Competence Centre on Health Technologies, Tartu, Estonia.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Aare Märtson
- Clinic of Traumatology and Orthopaedics, Tartu University Hospital, Tartu, Estonia.,Department of Traumatology and Orthopaedics, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Katre Maasalu
- Clinic of Traumatology and Orthopaedics, Tartu University Hospital, Tartu, Estonia.,Department of Traumatology and Orthopaedics, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
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15
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Jiang F, Yang X, He X, Yang M. Circulating DNA, a Potentially Sensitive and Specific Diagnostic Tool for Future Medicine. Dose Response 2019; 17:1559325819891010. [PMID: 31827416 PMCID: PMC6886285 DOI: 10.1177/1559325819891010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2019] [Revised: 10/21/2019] [Accepted: 10/24/2019] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Liquid biopsy has the great potential of detecting early diseases before deterioration and is valued for screening abnormalities at early stage. In oncology, circulating DNA derived from shed cancer cells reflects the tissue of origin, so it could be used to locate tissue sites during early screening. However, the heterogenous parameters of different types limit the clinical application, making it inaccessible to encompass all the cancer types. Instead, for reproducible scenario as pregnancy, fetal cell-free DNA has been well utilized for screening aneuploidies. Noninvasive and convenient as is, it would be of great value in the next decades far more than early diagnosis. This review recapitulates the discovery and development of tumor and fetal cell-free DNA. The common factors are also present that could be taken into consideration when collecting, transporting, and preserving samples. Meanwhile, several protocols used for purifying cell-free DNA, either classic ones or through commercial kits, are compared carefully. In addition, the development of technologies for analyzing cell-free DNA have been summarized and discussed in detail, especially some up-to-date approaches. At the end, the potential prospect of circulating DNA is bravely depicted. In summary, although there would be a lot of efforts before it’s prevalent, cell-free DNA remains a promising tool in point-of-care diagnostic medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fan Jiang
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, The First People's Hospital of Wenling, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenling, Zhejiang, China
| | - Xiaoxiao Yang
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, The First People's Hospital of Wenling, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenling, Zhejiang, China
| | - Xiping He
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, The First People's Hospital of Wenling, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenling, Zhejiang, China
| | - Mingming Yang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
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16
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Bharath TS, Saraswathi TR, Suresh Sajjan MC, Ramchandran CR, Govindraj Kumar N. Isolation and quantification of DNA from epithelial cells obtained from acrylic removable partial denture for sex identification. EGYPTIAN JOURNAL OF FORENSIC SCIENCES 2019. [DOI: 10.1186/s41935-019-0123-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
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17
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Akurut C, Silan F, Yalcintepe S, Ozdemir O. Maternal plazmadaki hücre dışı serbest fetal DNA kullanılarak girişimsel olmayan fetal RhdD genotiplemesinin tanısal doğruluğu. FAMILY PRACTICE AND PALLIATIVE CARE 2019. [DOI: 10.22391/fppc.418647] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
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18
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Abstract
The field of prenatal screening and diagnosis has undergone enormous progress over the past four decades. Most of this period has been characterized by gradual improvements in the technical and public health aspects of prenatal screening for Down syndrome. Compared to the direct analysis of fetal cells from amniocentesis or chorionic villus sampling, noninvasive approaches using maternal blood or ultrasound have the great advantage of posing no risk of miscarriage to the pregnancy. Recent advances in molecular genetics and DNA sequencing have revolutionized both the accuracy and the range of noninvasive testing for genetic abnormalities using cell-free DNA in maternal plasma. Many of these advances have already been incorporated into clinical care, including diagnosis of fetal blood group and aneuploidy screening. The accelerated pace of these recent developments is creating not just technical and logistical challenges, but is also magnifying the ethical and public policy issues traditionally associated with this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa Hui
- Department of Perinatal Medicine, Mercy Hospital for Women, Heidelberg, VIC, Australia.
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia.
- Reproductive Epidemiology, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Parkville, VIC, Australia.
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19
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Characteristics, properties, and potential applications of circulating cell-free dna in clinical diagnostics: a focus on transplantation. J Immunol Methods 2018; 463:27-38. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jim.2018.09.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2018] [Revised: 09/19/2018] [Accepted: 09/24/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
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20
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Gray KJ, Wilkins-Haug LE. Have we done our last amniocentesis? Updates on cell-free DNA for Down syndrome screening. Pediatr Radiol 2018; 48:461-470. [PMID: 29550862 PMCID: PMC7088458 DOI: 10.1007/s00247-017-3958-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2017] [Revised: 06/11/2017] [Accepted: 07/26/2017] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Prenatal aneuploidy screening changed significantly in 2012 when cell-free fetal deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) was introduced as a noninvasive prenatal test. A noninvasive prenatal test detects cell free fragments of fetal DNA from the placenta circulating in maternal blood that coexist with cell-free DNA (cfDNA) of maternal origin. Using next-generation sequencing, the noninvasive prenatal test compares maternal and fetal cfDNA ratios for chromosomes of interest (i.e., 21, 18, 13, X, and Y) to assess chromosomal aneuploidy. Compared to traditional screening using ultrasound and serum markers, the noninvasive prenatal test has superior test characteristics, including a higher detection rate and positive predictive value, and a lower false-positive rate. The noninvasive prenatal test is already used for primary screening in high-risk women and is rapidly expanding to all women. Given its increasing use, understanding the noninvasive prenatal test's limitations is critical. Discordant results (i.e. noninvasive prenatal test is positive for aneuploidy with a normal fetal karyotype) can occur because of biological processes such as aneuploidy confined to the placenta, a vanished twin, maternal aneuploidy or maternal cancer. Use of the noninvasive prenatal test for screening beyond the most common aneuploidies is not recommended. The noninvasive prenatal test is a major advance in prenatal aneuploidy screening but it is not diagnostic and does not replace invasive testing (i.e. chorionic villous sampling or amniocentesis) for confirmation of fetal chromosomal disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathryn J Gray
- Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Brigham & Women's Hospital, 75 Francis St., Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Louise E Wilkins-Haug
- Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Brigham & Women's Hospital, 75 Francis St., Boston, MA, 02115, USA.
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21
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Zeng H, He B, Yi C, Peng J. Liquid biopsies: DNA methylation analyses in circulating cell-free DNA. J Genet Genomics 2018; 45:185-192. [PMID: 29706556 DOI: 10.1016/j.jgg.2018.02.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2017] [Revised: 01/10/2018] [Accepted: 02/01/2018] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Analysis of patient's materials like cells or nucleic acids obtained in a minimally invasive or noninvasive manner through the sampling of blood or other body fluids serves as liquid biopsies, which has huge potential for numerous diagnostic applications. Circulating cell-free DNA (cfDNA) is explored as a prognostic or predictive marker of liquid biopsies with the improvements in genomic and molecular methods. DNA methylation is an important epigenetic marker known to affect gene expression. cfDNA methylation detection is a very promising approach as abnormal distribution of DNA methylation is one of the hallmarks of many cancers and methylation changes occur early during carcinogenesis. This review summarizes the various investigational applications of cfDNA methylation and its oxidized derivatives as biomarkers for cancer diagnosis, prenatal diagnosis and organ transplantation monitoring. The review also provides a brief overview of the technologies for cfDNA methylation analysis based on next generation sequencing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hu Zeng
- State Key Laboratory of Protein and Plant Gene Research, School of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Bo He
- Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Chengqi Yi
- State Key Laboratory of Protein and Plant Gene Research, School of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China; Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China; Synthetic and Functional Biomolecules Center, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China.
| | - Jinying Peng
- State Key Laboratory of Protein and Plant Gene Research, School of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China.
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22
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Al-Alfy M, El-Noury M, Azmy O, Bebars M, Alsharnoubi G, Dawood R, Nagy O, Ibrahim A. Molecular detection of CFFDNA for early laboratory diagnosis of X linked disorders carriers. MIDDLE EAST FERTILITY SOCIETY JOURNAL 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.mefs.2017.04.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
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23
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Ramezanzadeh M, Khosravi S, Salehi R. Cell-free Fetal Nucleic Acid Identifier Markers in Maternal Circulation. Adv Biomed Res 2017; 6:89. [PMID: 28828340 PMCID: PMC5549546 DOI: 10.4103/2277-9175.211800] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
From the discovery of cell-free fetal (cff)-DNA in 1997 so far, many studies have been performed on various aspects of cff-nucleic acid. It is undoubted that currently, invasive prenatal diagnosis progresses to the noninvasive test. However, there are many problems. One of the most challenging issues in this field is differentiation and detection of the small amount of cff-nucleic acid in maternal plasma. Many markers and methods have been used for this purpose. This review makes an attempt to review and compare the studies in the field. Six identifier markers including Y-specific sequence, polymorphisms, epigenetic difference, DNA size difference, fetal mRNA, and microRNA as well as the advantages and disadvantages of each marker are discussed. This review provides a relatively perfect set on cff-nucleic acid biomarkers in various physiological and pathological status of pregnancy, helping to review and compare the prior obtained results, and improving designation in future studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mahboubeh Ramezanzadeh
- Department of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, School of Medicine, Bushehr University of Medical Sciences, Bushehr 751463341, Iran
| | - Sharifeh Khosravi
- Department of Genetics and Molecular Biology, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan 81744-176, Iran
| | - Rasoul Salehi
- Department of Genetics and Molecular Biology, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan 81744-176, Iran
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24
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Skrzypek H, Hui L. Noninvasive prenatal testing for fetal aneuploidy and single gene disorders. Best Pract Res Clin Obstet Gynaecol 2017; 42:26-38. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bpobgyn.2017.02.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2016] [Accepted: 02/21/2017] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
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25
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McGrath JA. The Molecular Revolution in Cutaneous Biology: Era of Molecular Diagnostics for Inherited Skin Diseases. J Invest Dermatol 2017; 137:e83-e86. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jid.2016.02.819] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2015] [Revised: 02/02/2016] [Accepted: 02/08/2016] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
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26
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Liu L, Li K, Fu X, Chung C, Zhang K. A Forward Look At Noninvasive Prenatal Testing. Trends Mol Med 2016; 22:958-968. [PMID: 27726956 DOI: 10.1016/j.molmed.2016.09.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2016] [Accepted: 09/15/2016] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Genomic abnormalities are a leading cause of birth defects and pregnancy complications, including in utero growth retardation and risk of miscarriage. Traditional invasive methods detecting such genomic abnormalities pose a relative risk to mother and unborn fetus. Non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) is a method that determines the genomic status of a fetus in utero by analyzing circulating fetal DNA in maternal plasma or serum. This review comes at a time when more and more physicians and hospitals might be using NIPT; there is great potential in extending this technology to other diagnostic applications. We discuss here the most current advances in diagnostic NIPT, its applications and limitations, as well as the development of future technology and possible clinical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Liu
- Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 510623, China.
| | - Kang Li
- Molecular Medicine Research Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Sichuan 610041, China; Guangzhou Elite Health Biological Pharmaceutical Technology Company Ltd., Guangzhou 510005, China
| | - Xin Fu
- Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 510623, China; Institute for Genomic Medicine and Shiley Eye Institute, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92328, USA
| | - Christopher Chung
- Institute for Genomic Medicine and Shiley Eye Institute, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92328, USA
| | - Kang Zhang
- Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 510623, China; Institute for Genomic Medicine and Shiley Eye Institute, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92328, USA.
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27
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Orhant L, Anselem O, Fradin M, Becker PH, Beugnet C, Deburgrave N, Tafuri G, Letourneur F, Goffinet F, Allach El Khattabi L, Leturcq F, Bienvenu T, Tsatsaris V, Nectoux J. Droplet digital PCR combined with minisequencing, a new approach to analyze fetal DNA from maternal blood: application to the non-invasive prenatal diagnosis of achondroplasia. Prenat Diagn 2016; 36:397-406. [PMID: 26850935 DOI: 10.1002/pd.4790] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2015] [Revised: 10/29/2015] [Accepted: 02/01/2016] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Achondroplasia is generally detected by abnormal prenatal ultrasound findings in the third trimester of pregnancy and then confirmed by molecular genetic testing of fetal genomic DNA obtained by aspiration of amniotic fluid. This invasive procedure presents a small but significant risk for both the fetus and mother. Therefore, non-invasive procedures using cell-free fetal DNA in maternal plasma have been developed for the detection of the fetal achondroplasia mutations. METHODS To determine whether the fetus carries the de novo mis-sense genetic mutation at nucleotide 1138 in FGFR3 gene involved in >99% of achondroplasia cases, we developed two independent methods: digital-droplet PCR combined with minisequencing, which are very sensitive methods allowing detection of rare alleles. RESULTS We collected 26 plasmatic samples from women carrying fetus at risk of achondroplasia and diagnosed to date a total of five affected fetuses in maternal blood. The sensitivity and specificity of our test are respectively 100% [95% confidence interval, 56.6-100%] and 100% [95% confidence interval, 84.5-100%]. CONCLUSIONS This novel, original strategy for non-invasive prenatal diagnosis of achondroplasia is suitable for implementation in routine clinical testing and allows considering extending the applications of these technologies in non-invasive prenatal diagnosis of many other monogenic diseases. © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucie Orhant
- Service de Biochimie et Génétique Moléculaire, HUPC Hôpital Cochin, Paris, France
| | - Olivia Anselem
- Maternité Cochin-Port Royal, HUPC Hôpital Cochin, Paris, France
| | - Mélanie Fradin
- Service de Génétique Médicale, CHU de Rennes, Rennes, France
| | | | - Caroline Beugnet
- Service de Biochimie et Génétique Moléculaire, HUPC Hôpital Cochin, Paris, France
| | - Nathalie Deburgrave
- Service de Biochimie et Génétique Moléculaire, HUPC Hôpital Cochin, Paris, France
| | - Gilles Tafuri
- Service de Biochimie et Génétique Moléculaire, HUPC Hôpital Cochin, Paris, France
| | - Franck Letourneur
- INSERM, U1016, Institut Cochin, CNRS UMR8104, Université Paris Descartes, Paris, France
| | | | | | - France Leturcq
- Service de Biochimie et Génétique Moléculaire, HUPC Hôpital Cochin, Paris, France
| | - Thierry Bienvenu
- Service de Biochimie et Génétique Moléculaire, HUPC Hôpital Cochin, Paris, France.,INSERM, U1016, Institut Cochin, CNRS UMR8104, Université Paris Descartes, Paris, France
| | | | - Juliette Nectoux
- Service de Biochimie et Génétique Moléculaire, HUPC Hôpital Cochin, Paris, France.,INSERM, U1016, Institut Cochin, CNRS UMR8104, Université Paris Descartes, Paris, France
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Abstract
Cell-free DNA (cfDNA) testing has recently become indispensable in diagnostic testing and screening. In the prenatal setting, this type of testing is often called noninvasive prenatal testing (NIPT). With a number of techniques, using either next-generation sequencing or single nucleotide polymorphism-based approaches, fetal cfDNA in maternal plasma can be analyzed to screen for rhesus D genotype, common chromosomal aneuploidies, and increasingly for testing other conditions, including monogenic disorders. With regard to screening for common aneuploidies, challenges arise when implementing NIPT in current prenatal settings. Depending on the method used (targeted or nontargeted), chromosomal anomalies other than trisomy 21, 18, or 13 can be detected, either of fetal or maternal origin, also referred to as unsolicited or incidental findings. For various biological reasons, there is a small chance of having either a false-positive or false-negative NIPT result, or no result, also referred to as a "no-call." Both pre- and posttest counseling for NIPT should include discussing potential discrepancies. Since NIPT remains a screening test, a positive NIPT result should be confirmed by invasive diagnostic testing (either by chorionic villus biopsy or by amniocentesis). As the scope of NIPT is widening, professional guidelines need to discuss the ethics of what to offer and how to offer. In this review, we discuss the current biochemical, clinical, and ethical challenges of cfDNA testing in the prenatal setting and its future perspectives including novel applications that target RNA instead of DNA.
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29
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Abstract
Prenatal diagnosis and screening have undergone rapid development in recent years, with advances in molecular technology driving the change. Noninvasive prenatal testing (NIPT) for Down syndrome as a highly sensitive screening test is now available worldwide through the commercial sector with many countries moving toward implementation into their publically funded maternity systems. Noninvasive prenatal diagnosis (NIPD) can now be performed for definitive diagnosis of some recessive and X-linked conditions, rather than just paternally inherited dominant and de novo conditions. NIPD/T offers pregnant couples greater choice during their pregnancy as these safer methods avoid the risk of miscarriage associated with invasive testing. As the cost of sequencing falls and technology develops further, there may well be potential for whole exome and whole genome sequencing of the unborn fetus using cell-free DNA in the maternal plasma. How such assays can or should be implemented into the clinical setting remain an area of significant debate, but it is clear that the progress made to date for safer prenatal testing has been welcomed by expectant couples and their healthcare professionals.
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30
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Ramezanzadeh M, Salehi M, Farajzadegan Z, Kamali S, Salehi R. Detection of paternally inherited fetal point mutations for β-thalassemia in maternal plasma using simple fetal DNA enrichment protocol with or without whole genome amplification: an accuracy assessment. J Matern Fetal Neonatal Med 2015; 29:2645-9. [PMID: 26553322 DOI: 10.3109/14767058.2015.1095883] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To design and evaluate a noninvasive protocol for prenatal diagnosis (PND) of β-thalassemia, using cell free fetal DNA (cff-DNA) in maternal circulation. Traditional current PND which is mainly based on chorionic villous sampling (CVS), amplification refractory mutation system and sequencing holds as gold standard. METHODS Ten thalassemia trait couples with distinct mutations for the husband and wife were included in this study. The mutations in carrier fathers were IVSI-1, IVSI-5, FR8/9 and CD44. After maternal plasma isolation and free DNA extraction, all samples subjected to designed protocol including DNA size separation on agarose gel, elution of DNA from the gel slices using a simple and efficient manual purification method, with or without whole genome amplification and the detection method was allele-specific real-time PCR. RESULTS Presence or absence of the paternal mutant allele was correctly determined in all of cases and the accuracy of designed protocol was determined 100%. CONCLUSIONS The protocol described here is very simple, inexpensive and easy to perform, but with satisfactory accuracy in detection of paternal mutations in cff-DNA. Due to the risk of fetal loss with current invasive sampling for PND, a noninvasive alternative is highly demanded in clinical setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mahboubeh Ramezanzadeh
- a Department of Genetics and Molecular Biology , School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences , Isfahan , Iran and
| | - Mansour Salehi
- a Department of Genetics and Molecular Biology , School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences , Isfahan , Iran and
| | - Ziba Farajzadegan
- b Department of Community Medicine , Isfahan University of Medical Sciences , Isfahan , Iran
| | - Sara Kamali
- a Department of Genetics and Molecular Biology , School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences , Isfahan , Iran and
| | - Rasoul Salehi
- a Department of Genetics and Molecular Biology , School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences , Isfahan , Iran and
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Tai DS, Hu C, Lee CCI, Martinez M, Cantero G, Kim EH, Tarantal AF, Lipshutz GS. Development of operational immunologic tolerance with neonatal gene transfer in nonhuman primates: preliminary studies. Gene Ther 2015; 22:923-30. [PMID: 26333349 DOI: 10.1038/gt.2015.65] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2015] [Revised: 05/22/2015] [Accepted: 06/18/2015] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Achieving persistent expression is a prerequisite for effective genetic therapies for inherited disorders. These proof-of-concept studies focused on adeno-associated virus (AAV) administration to newborn monkeys. Serotype rh10 AAV expressing ovalbumin and green fluorescent protein (GFP) was administered intravenously at birth and compared with vehicle controls. At 4 months postnatal age, a second injection was administered intramuscularly, followed by vaccination at 1 year of age with ovalbumin and GFP. Ovalbumin was highest 2 weeks post administration in the treated monkey, which declined but remained detectable thereafter; controls demonstrated no expression. Long-term AAV genome copies were present in myocytes. At 4 weeks, neutralizing antibodies to rh10 were present in the experimental animal only. With AAV9 administration at 4 months, controls showed transient ovalbumin expression that disappeared with the development of strong anti-ovalbumin and anti-GFP antibodies. In contrast, increased and maintained ovalbumin expression was noted in the monkey administered AAV at birth, without antibody development. After vaccination, the experimental monkey maintained levels of ovalbumin without antibodies, whereas controls demonstrated high levels of antibodies. These preliminary studies suggest that newborn AAV administration expressing secreted and intracellular xenogenic proteins may result in persistent expression in muscle, and subsequent vector administration can result in augmented expression without humoral immune responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- D S Tai
- Department of Surgery, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - C Hu
- Department of Surgery, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - C C I Lee
- California National Primate Research Center and Departments of Pediatrics and Cell Biology and Human Anatomy, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
| | - M Martinez
- California National Primate Research Center and Departments of Pediatrics and Cell Biology and Human Anatomy, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
| | - G Cantero
- Department of Surgery, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - E H Kim
- Department of Surgery, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - A F Tarantal
- California National Primate Research Center and Departments of Pediatrics and Cell Biology and Human Anatomy, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
| | - G S Lipshutz
- Department of Surgery, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.,Department of Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.,Department of Urology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.,Department of Psychiatry, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.,Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research Center, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.,Broad Center of Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
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Mokari-Zadeh N, Mesbah-Namin SA. Evaluation of an Improved Non-invasive Fetal Sex Determination in Haemophilia A Patients. J Clin Diagn Res 2015; 9:GC01-4. [PMID: 26393142 DOI: 10.7860/jcdr/2015/12556.6175] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2014] [Accepted: 04/29/2015] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Haemophilia A (HA) is the most severe sex-linked bleeding disorder that is characterized with non-controlled and often threatening Haemorrhage. Routine fetal sex determination in early pregnancy with Haemophilia is based on invasive procedures that can be dangerous to the mother and fetus. AIM The goal of this study is to present an improved assay for the non-invasive fetal sex determination using a Real-Time duplex PCR on the free fetal DNA (ffDNA) obtained from the maternal serum of the HA carriers. MATERIALS AND METHODS Blood samples were eventually collected from 23 pregnant HA carriers between the 8(th) and 12(th) weeks of gestation, and after amplification by duplex-PCR of the single copy of Y chromosome-specific sequence (SRY), the product was then subjected to Real-Time PCR analysis. RESULTS Data were compared with the outcome of chorionic villus sampling (CVS) and indicated that the SRY sequence was detected in 6 of 6 serum samples from male pregnancies and that sequence was absent in 9 samples where the fetus was female. The remaining samples determined without having the CVS positive samples. CONCLUSION We tried to develop a Real-Time duplex PCR for accurate diagnosis of fetal gender early in the pregnancy of HA carriers. This study has brought up two remarkable points, the first is the method's improvement with high specificity in sex determination, especially in screening of prenatal sex-linked disorders in male gender and the second is that fresh serum samples would be a good source for this purpose, advocated by similar studies carried out in this regard.
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Affiliation(s)
- Narmin Mokari-Zadeh
- Faculty, Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University , Tehran, Iran
| | - Seyed Alireza Mesbah-Namin
- Faculty, Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University , Tehran, Iran
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Karakas B, Qubbaj W, Al-Hassan S, Coskun S. Noninvasive Digital Detection of Fetal DNA in Plasma of 4-Week-Pregnant Women following In Vitro Fertilization and Embryo Transfer. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0126501. [PMID: 25970589 PMCID: PMC4430227 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0126501] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2014] [Accepted: 04/02/2015] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The discovery of cell-free fetal DNA (cfDNA) circulating in the maternal blood has provided new opportunities for noninvasive prenatal diagnosis (NIPD). However, the extremely low levels of cfDNA within a high background of the maternal DNA in maternal circulation necessitate highly sensitive molecular techniques for its reliable use in NIPD. In this proof of principle study, we evaluated the earliest possible detection of cfDNA in the maternal plasma by a bead-based emulsion PCR technology known as BEAMing (beads, emulsion, amplification, magnetics). Blood samples were collected from in vitro fertilization (IVF) patients at 2 to 6 weeks following embryo transfer (i.e., 4 to 8 week pregnancies) and plasma DNA was extracted. The genomic regions of both X and Y chromosome-specific sequences (AMELX and AMELY) were concurrently amplified in two sequential PCRs; first by conventional PCR then by BEAMing. The positive beads either for AMELX or AMELY gene sequences were counted by a flow cytometer. Our results showed that the pregnancies yielding boys had significantly higher plasma AMELY gene fractions (0.512 ± 0.221) than the ones yielding girls (0.028 ± 0.003) or non-pregnant women (0.020 ± 0.005, P= 0.0059). Here, we clearly demonstrated that the BEAMing technique is capable of reliably detecting cfDNA in the blood circulation of 4-week-pregnant women, which is only two weeks after the embryo transfer. BEAMing technique can also be used to early detect fetal DNA alterations in other pregnancy-associated disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bedri Karakas
- Department of Molecular Oncology, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
- * E-mail:
| | - Wafa Qubbaj
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Saad Al-Hassan
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Serdar Coskun
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
- Alfaisal University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
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Potential treatments for genetic hearing loss in humans: current conundrums. Gene Ther 2015; 22:603-9. [PMID: 25781649 DOI: 10.1038/gt.2015.27] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2014] [Revised: 01/24/2015] [Accepted: 02/12/2015] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Genetic defects are a major cause of hearing loss in newborns. Consequently, hearing loss has a profound negative impact on human daily living. Numerous causative genes for genetic hearing loss have been identified. However, presently, there are no truly curative treatments for this condition. There have been several recent reports on successful treatments in mice using embryonic gene therapy, neonatal gene therapy and neonatal antisense oligonucleotide therapy. Herein, we describe state-of-the-art research on genetic hearing loss treatment through gene therapy and discuss the obstacles to overcome in curative treatments of genetic hearing loss in humans.
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Günel T, Hosseini MK, Gümüşoğlu E, Zeybek G, Dölekçap İ, Kalelioğlu İ, Benian A, Ermiş H, Aydınlı K. Current approaches on non-invasive prenatal diagnosis: Prenatal genomics, transcriptomics, personalized fetal diagnosis. Turk J Obstet Gynecol 2014; 11:233-241. [PMID: 28913027 PMCID: PMC5558368 DOI: 10.4274/tjod.26817] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2013] [Accepted: 07/26/2014] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent developments in molecular genetics improved our knowledge on fetal genome and physiology. Novel scientific innovations in prenatal diagnosis have accelerated in the last decade changing our vision immensely. Data obtained from fetal genomic studies brought new insights to fetal medicine and by the advances in fetal DNA and RNA sequencing technology novel treatment strategies has evolved. Non-invasive prenatal diagnosis found ground in genetics and the results are widely studied in scientific arena. When Lo and colleges proved fetal genetic material can be extracted from maternal plasma and fetal DNA can be isolated from maternal serum, the gate to many exciting discoveries was open. Microarray technology and advances in sequencing helped fetal diagnosis as well as other areas of medicine. Today it is a very crucial prerequisite for physicians practicing prenatal diagnosis to have a profound knowledge in genetics. Prevailing practical use and application of fetal genomic tests in maternal and fetal medicine mandates obstetricians to update their knowledge in genetics. The purpose of this review is to assist physicians to understand and update their knowledge in fetal genetic testing from maternal blood, individualized prenatal counseling and advancements on the subject by sharing our experiences as İstanbul University Fetal Nucleic Acid Research Group.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tuba Günel
- İstanbul University, Faculty of Science, Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, İstanbul, Turkey
| | - Mohammad Kazem Hosseini
- İstanbul University, Faculty of Science, Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, İstanbul, Turkey
| | - Ece Gümüşoğlu
- İstanbul University, Faculty of Science, Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, İstanbul, Turkey
| | - Görkem Zeybek
- Çanakkale Provincial State Hospital, Clinic of General Obstetrics and Gynecology, Çanakkale, Turkey
| | - İsmail Dölekçap
- İstanbul University, Faculty of Science, Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, İstanbul, Turkey
| | - İbrahim Kalelioğlu
- İstanbul University İstanbul Faculty of Medicine, Department of Gynecology, İstanbul, Turkey
| | - Ali Benian
- İstanbul University Cerrahpaşa Faculty of Medicine, Department of Gynecology, İstanbul, Turkey
| | - Hayri Ermiş
- İstanbul University İstanbul Faculty of Medicine, Department of Gynecology, İstanbul, Turkey
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Korabecna M, Ulcova-Gallova Z, Horinek A, Pazourková E, Calda P. Quantification of circulating fetal DNA as a tool for potential monitoring of pregnant patients with antiphospholipid antibodies. Autoimmunity 2014; 47:473-7. [PMID: 24829103 DOI: 10.3109/08916934.2014.917372] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Apoptosis of tissues of fetal origin is thought to be one of the main sources of cell-free fetal DNA (cffDNA) in maternal circulation, impaired apoptosis is also involved in the mechanisms contributing to recurrent spontaneous miscarriages (RSM) associated with antiphospholipid syndrome (APS). The APS increases the risk for preeclampsia nine times. In preeclampsia, the elevated levels of cffDNA were described by different authors. To our knowledge, cffDNA in pregnant patients with APS was never studied. In our pilot study, we focused on the levels of cffDNA in four pregnant patients with treated primary APS and compared them with values obtained in twenty-one healthy subjects of comparable gestation age (the third trimester of pregnancy). We supposed that the increase of cffDNA concentration in our treated patients would signalize the elevated apoptosis of fetal tissues as in other pathological changes of placentation. The aim of our pilot study was to determine cffDNA concentrations in patients with treated APS and to compare them with values detected in healthy pregnant women of comparable gestation age in order to discover potential non-physiological elevations in patients. The elevated values of cffDNA were not observed in our patients (p value = 0.4363, Mann-Whitney test). All patients delivered healthy children. The measurement of concentrations of cffDNA seems to be a promising tool for monitoring of therapy effectiveness in pregnant women with APS but evaluation of randomized controlled trials would be necessary to determine the specificity and the sensitivity of this test.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie Korabecna
- Institute of Biology and Medical Genetics, First Faculty of Medicine , Prague , Czech Republic
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Maternal obesity affects fetal neurodevelopmental and metabolic gene expression: a pilot study. PLoS One 2014; 9:e88661. [PMID: 24558408 PMCID: PMC3928248 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0088661] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2013] [Accepted: 01/11/2014] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective One in three pregnant women in the United States is obese. Their offspring are at increased risk for neurodevelopmental and metabolic morbidity. Underlying molecular mechanisms are poorly understood. We performed a global gene expression analysis of mid-trimester amniotic fluid cell-free fetal RNA in obese versus lean pregnant women. Methods This prospective pilot study included eight obese (BMI≥30) and eight lean (BMI<25) women undergoing clinically indicated mid-trimester genetic amniocentesis. Subjects were matched for gestational age and fetal sex. Fetuses with abnormal karyotype or structural anomalies were excluded. Cell-free fetal RNA was extracted from amniotic fluid and hybridized to whole genome expression arrays. Genes significantly differentially regulated in 8/8 obese-lean pairs were identified using paired t-tests with the Benjamini-Hochberg correction (false discovery rate of <0.05). Biological interpretation was performed with Ingenuity Pathway Analysis and the BioGPS gene expression atlas. Results In fetuses of obese pregnant women, 205 genes were significantly differentially regulated. Apolipoprotein D, a gene highly expressed in the central nervous system and integral to lipid regulation, was the most up-regulated gene (9-fold). Apoptotic cell death was significantly down-regulated, particularly within nervous system pathways involving the cerebral cortex. Activation of the transcriptional regulators estrogen receptor, FOS, and STAT3 was predicted in fetuses of obese women, suggesting a pro-estrogenic, pro-inflammatory milieu. Conclusion Maternal obesity affects fetal neurodevelopmental and metabolic gene expression as early as the second trimester. These findings may have implications for postnatal neurodevelopmental and metabolic abnormalities described in the offspring of obese women.
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Bustamante-Aragones A, Gonzalez-Gonzalez C, de Alba MR, Ainse E, Ramos C. Noninvasive prenatal diagnosis using ccffDNA in maternal blood: state of the art. Expert Rev Mol Diagn 2014; 10:197-205. [DOI: 10.1586/erm.09.86] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
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39
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Yang JI. Clinical application of non-invasive prenatal testing using cell free fetal DNA. JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN MEDICAL ASSOCIATION 2014. [DOI: 10.5124/jkma.2014.57.9.771] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Jeong In Yang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, Korea
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40
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41
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Taglauer ES, Wilkins-Haug L, Bianchi DW. Review: cell-free fetal DNA in the maternal circulation as an indication of placental health and disease. Placenta 2013; 35 Suppl:S64-8. [PMID: 24388429 DOI: 10.1016/j.placenta.2013.11.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 148] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2013] [Revised: 11/20/2013] [Accepted: 11/21/2013] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
In human pregnancy, the constant turnover of villous trophoblast results in extrusion of apoptotic material into the maternal circulation. This material includes cell-free (cf) DNA, which is commonly referred to as "fetal", but is actually derived from the placenta. As the release of cf DNA is closely tied to placental morphogenesis, conditions associated with abnormal placentation, such as preeclampsia, are associated with high DNA levels in the blood of pregnant women. Over the past five years, the development and commercial availability of techniques of massively parallel DNA sequencing have facilitated noninvasive prenatal testing (NIPT) for fetal trisomies 13, 18, and 21. Clinical experience accrued over the past two years has highlighted the importance of the fetal fraction (ff) in cf DNA analysis. The ff is the amount of cell-free fetal DNA in a given sample divided by the total amount of cell-free DNA. At any gestational age, ff has a bell-shaped distribution that peaks between 10 and 20% at 10-21 weeks. ff is affected by maternal body mass index, gestational age, fetal aneuploidy, and whether the gestation is a singleton or multiple. In approximately 0.1% of clinical cases, the NIPT result and a subsequent diagnostic karyotype are discordant; confined placental mosaicism has been increasingly reported as an underlying biologic explanation. Cell-free fetal DNA is a new biomarker that can provide information about the placenta and potentially be used to predict clinical problems. Knowledge gaps still exist with regard to what affects production, metabolism, and clearance of feto-placental DNA.
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Affiliation(s)
- E S Taglauer
- Department of Pediatrics, Floating Hospital for Children, Boston, MA, USA
| | - L Wilkins-Haug
- Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Brigham and Womens' Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - D W Bianchi
- Mother Infant Research Institute at Tufts Medical Center and Floating Hospital for Children, 800 Washington Street, Box 394, Boston, MA 02111, USA.
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Xu L, Shi R. Noninvasive prenatal diagnosis using next-generation sequencing. Gynecol Obstet Invest 2013; 77:73-7. [PMID: 24192219 DOI: 10.1159/000355693] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2013] [Accepted: 09/17/2013] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Nowadays, prenatal diagnosis is necessary for pregnant women. For the parents who are expecting a child, the genetic test may provide the information whether they are carrying rare gene mutations and whether they are at risk of passing them onto their offspring. However, the ultimate determination of genetic diseases often requires invasive procedures such as amniocentesis and chorionic villus sampling, which may cause fetal miscarriage. A noninvasive type of prenatal diagnosis needs to be developed in clinical practice to dispel safety concerns. In this paper, we will review the technical advancement of using maternal circulating nucleic acids as the sample in noninvasive studies, and highlight the utilization of next-generation sequencing in the screening of genetic diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liang Xu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shanghai East Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
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Wright CF, Wei Y, Higgins JPT, Sagoo GS. Non-invasive prenatal diagnostic test accuracy for fetal sex using cell-free DNA a review and meta-analysis. BMC Res Notes 2012; 5:476. [PMID: 22937795 PMCID: PMC3444439 DOI: 10.1186/1756-0500-5-476] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2012] [Accepted: 08/14/2012] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Cell-free fetal DNA (cffDNA) can be detected in maternal blood during pregnancy, opening the possibility of early non-invasive prenatal diagnosis for a variety of genetic conditions. Since 1997, many studies have examined the accuracy of prenatal fetal sex determination using cffDNA, particularly for pregnancies at risk of an X-linked condition. Here we report a review and meta-analysis of the published literature to evaluate the use of cffDNA for prenatal determination (diagnosis) of fetal sex. We applied a sensitive search of multiple bibliographic databases including PubMed (MEDLINE), EMBASE, the Cochrane library and Web of Science. Results Ninety studies, incorporating 9,965 pregnancies and 10,587 fetal sex results met our inclusion criteria. Overall mean sensitivity was 96.6% (95% credible interval 95.2% to 97.7%) and mean specificity was 98.9% (95% CI = 98.1% to 99.4%). These results vary very little with trimester or week of testing, indicating that the performance of the test is reliably high. Conclusions Based on this review and meta-analysis we conclude that fetal sex can be determined with a high level of accuracy by analyzing cffDNA. Using cffDNA in prenatal diagnosis to replace or complement existing invasive methods can remove or reduce the risk of miscarriage. Future work should concentrate on the economic and ethical considerations of implementing an early non-invasive test for fetal sex.
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Bustamante-Aragonés A, Rodríguez de Alba M, Perlado S, Trujillo-Tiebas MJ, Arranz JP, Díaz-Recasens J, Troyano-Luque J, Ramos C. Non-invasive prenatal diagnosis of single-gene disorders from maternal blood. Gene 2012; 504:144-9. [DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2012.04.045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2012] [Revised: 03/06/2012] [Accepted: 04/18/2012] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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Edlow AG, Bianchi DW. Tracking fetal development through molecular analysis of maternal biofluids. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Basis Dis 2012; 1822:1970-80. [PMID: 22542507 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbadis.2012.04.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2011] [Revised: 02/23/2012] [Accepted: 04/10/2012] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
Current monitoring of fetal development includes fetal ultrasonography, chorionic villus sampling or amniocentesis for chromosome analysis, and maternal serum biochemical screening for analytes associated with aneuploidy and open neural tube defects. Over the last 15 years, significant advances in noninvasive prenatal diagnosis (NIPD) via cell-free fetal (cff) nucleic acids in maternal plasma have resulted in the ability to determine fetal sex, RhD genotype, and aneuploidy. Cff nucleic acids in the maternal circulation originate primarily from the placenta. This contrasts with cff nucleic acids in amniotic fluid, which derive from the fetus, and are present in significantly higher concentrations than in maternal blood. The fetal origin of cff nucleic acids in the amniotic fluid permits the acquisition of real-time information about fetal development and gene expression. This review seeks to provide a comprehensive summary of the molecular analysis of cff nucleic acids in maternal biofluids to elucidate mechanisms of fetal development, physiology, and pathology. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Molecular Genetics of Human Reproductive Failure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea G Edlow
- Mother Infant Research Institute, Tufts Medical Center, Boston, MA 02111, USA.
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Kim SY, Lim JH, Park SY, Kim MY, Choi JS, Ryu HM. Non-invasive prenatal determination of fetal gender using QF-PCR analysis of cell-free fetal DNA in maternal plasma. Clin Chim Acta 2012; 413:600-4. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cca.2011.12.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2011] [Revised: 12/02/2011] [Accepted: 12/04/2011] [Indexed: 10/14/2022]
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Sedrak M, Hashad D, Adel H, Azzam A, Elbeltagy N. Use of Free Fetal DNA in Prenatal Noninvasive Detection of Fetal RhD Status and Fetal Gender by Molecular Analysis of Maternal Plasma. Genet Test Mol Biomarkers 2011; 15:627-31. [DOI: 10.1089/gtmb.2010.0263] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Mona Sedrak
- Department of Clinical Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt
| | - Doaa Hashad
- Department of Clinical Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt
| | - Hesham Adel
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt
| | - Amal Azzam
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt
| | - Nermeen Elbeltagy
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt
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Tounta G, Kolialexi A, Papantoniou N, Tsangaris GT, Kanavakis E, Mavrou A. Non-invasive prenatal diagnosis using cell-free fetal nucleic acids in maternal plasma: Progress overview beyond predictive and personalized diagnosis. EPMA J 2011. [PMID: 23199146 PMCID: PMC3405386 DOI: 10.1007/s13167-011-0085-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
The discovery of circulating cell-free fetal DNA (cffDNA) in maternal plasma allowed for the development of alternative methodologies that may facilitate safe non-invasive prenatal diagnosis (NIPD). The low concentration of cffDNA in maternal plasma, however, and the coexistence of maternal DNA limit its clinical application to the detection or exclusion of fetal targets that are not present in the mother, such as Y chromosome sequences, the RHD gene in a RhD-negative woman and genetic conditions inherited from the father. Strategies for NIPD of monogenic disorders and fetal chromosomal aneuploidies have also been achieved using next-generation sequencing and could be introduced to the clinics as soon as cost-effective and high throughput protocols are developed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Georgia Tounta
- Department of Medical Genetics, Athens University School of Medicine, Athens, Greece
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Mortarino M, Garagiola I, Lotta LA, Siboni SM, Semprini AE, Peyvandi F. Non-invasive tool for foetal sex determination in early gestational age. Haemophilia 2011; 17:952-6. [PMID: 21492325 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2516.2011.02537.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Free foetal DNA in maternal blood during early pregnancy is an ideal source of foetal genetic material for non-invasive prenatal diagnosis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the use of free foetal DNA analysis at early gestational age as pretest for the detection of specific Y-chromosome sequences in maternal plasma of women who are carriers of X-linked disorders, such as haemophilia. Real-time quantitative PCR analysis of maternal plasma was performed for the detection of the SRY or DYS14 sequence. A group of 208 pregnant women, at different gestational periods from 4 to 12 weeks, were tested to identify the optimal period to obtain an adequate amount of foetal DNA for prenatal diagnosis. Foetal gender was determined in 181 pregnant women sampled throughout pregnancy. Pregnancy outcome and foetal gender were confirmed using karyotyping, ultrasonography or after birth. The sensitivity, which was low between 4th and 7th week (mean 73%), increased significantly after 7+1th weeks of gestation (mean 94%). The latter sensitivity after 7+1th week of gestation is associated to a high specificity (100%), with an overall accuracy of 96% for foetal gender determination. This analysis demonstrates that foetal gender determination in maternal plasma is reliable after the 9th week of gestation and it can be used, in association with ultrasonography, for screening to determine the need for chorionic villus sampling for prenatal diagnosis of X-linked disorders, such as haemophilia.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Mortarino
- UOS Dipartimentale per la Diagnosi e la Terapia delle Coagulopatie, Angelo Bianchi Bonomi Hemophilia and Thrombosis Center, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda-Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, University of Milan and Luigi Villa Foundation, Milan, Italy
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Akolekar R, Farkas DH, VanAgtmael AL, Bombard AT, Nicolaides KH. Fetal sex determination using circulating cell-free fetal DNA (ccffDNA) at 11 to 13 weeks of gestation. Prenat Diagn 2011; 30:918-23. [PMID: 20721878 DOI: 10.1002/pd.2582] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To examine the performance of a mass spectrometry-based detection platform using three Y-chromosome sequences for fetal sex determination from circulating cell-free fetal DNA (ccffDNA) in maternal blood in the first trimester of pregnancy. METHODS We extracted ccffDNA for the determination of fetal sex from stored maternal plasma obtained at 11 to 13 weeks' gestation from singleton pregnancies with documented fetal gender. Mass spectrometry was used to examine 236 specimens for the presence of three Y-chromosome sequences (SRY, DBY and TTTY2). The sample was classified as male, female or inconclusive depending on the detection of three, one/none and two sequences, respectively. RESULTS Three (1.3%) of the 236 cases were classified as invalid due to the absence of a well-defined spectral peak for TGIF and 22 (9.3%) were reported as inconclusive. In the 211 cases with a valid result, the fetal sex was correctly identified in 90 of 91 male babies and 119 of 120 female babies giving an accuracy of 99.1% and sensitivity and specificity for prediction of male fetuses of 98.9 and 99.2%, respectively. CONCLUSION Fetal sex determination can be accurately determined from maternal ccffDNA in the first trimester of pregnancy using mass spectrometry analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ranjit Akolekar
- Harris Birthright Research Centre for Fetal Medicine, King's College Hospital, London, UK
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