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Li Y, Zhong XY, Kang A, Troeger C, Holzgreve W, Hahn S. Inability to Detect Cell Free Fetal DNA in the Urine of Normal Pregnant Women nor in Those Affected by Preeclampsia Associated HELLP Syndrome. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2016. [DOI: 10.1016/s1071-55760300155-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Wolfgang Holzgreve
- Laboratory for Prenatal Medicine, University Women's Hospital/Department of Biomedical Research, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Sinuhe Hahn
- Laboratory for Prenatal Medicine, University Women's Hospital/Department of Biomedical Research, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
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2
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Guetta E, Gutstein-Abo L, Barkai G. Trophoblasts Isolated from the Maternal Circulation: In Vitro Expansion and Potential Application in Non-invasive Prenatal Diagnosis. J Histochem Cytochem 2016; 53:337-9. [PMID: 15750014 DOI: 10.1369/jhc.4b6426.2005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Prenatal diagnosis based on rare fetal cells in maternal blood is currently not a feasible option. An effort was made to improve cell yields by targeting trophoblast cells. After sorting, the HLA-G-positive cell fraction was analyzed directly or after culture. In situ hybridization technology was applied to prove fetal cell source in samples from women carrying a male fetus and to predict gender in samples without previous knowledge of fetal sex. In vitro culture led to a significant increase in fetal cells and accurate gender prediction in 93% of these samples. This approach might be useful for non-invasive prenatal diagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Esther Guetta
- Danek Gertner Institute of Human Genetics, Sheba Medical Center, Tel-Hashomer, Israel 52621.
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3
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LaBreche HG, Sebastian S. A Proof-of-Concept Case Study for Personalized Noninvasive Prenatal Diagnosis: Can We Put It to Work? J Mol Diagn 2015. [PMID: 26213319 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmoldx.2015.06.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
This commentary highlights the article by van den Oever et al that describes a new method of prenatal diagnosis of single-mutation disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heather G LaBreche
- Department of Pathology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Siby Sebastian
- Department of Pathology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina.
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4
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Yin A, Zhang X, Wu J, Du L, He T, Zhang X. Screening significantly hypermethylated genes in fetal tissues compared with maternal blood using a methylated-CpG island recovery assay-based microarray. BMC Med Genomics 2012; 5:26. [PMID: 22709530 PMCID: PMC3534415 DOI: 10.1186/1755-8794-5-26] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2012] [Accepted: 06/08/2012] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The noninvasive prenatal diagnosis procedures that are currently used to detect genetic diseases do not achieve desirable levels of sensitivity and specificity. Recently, fetal methylated DNA biomarkers in maternal peripheral blood have been explored for the noninvasive prenatal detection of genetic disorders. However, such efforts have covered only chromosomal aneuploidy, and fetal methylated DNA biomarkers in maternal whole blood for detecting single-gene diseases remain to be discovered. Methods To address this issue, we systematically screened significantly hypermethylated genes in fetal tissues and compared them with maternal peripheral blood potential in an attempt to detect fetal genes in maternal peripheral blood. First, the methylated-CpG island recovery assay combined with a CpG island array was performed for four fetus-toward placental tissues and the corresponding maternal peripheral bloods. Subsequently, direct bisulfite sequencing and combined bisulfite restriction analysis (COBRA) were carried out to validate the methylation status of the hypermethylated genes that were identified by the microarray analysis. Results Three hundred and ten significantly hypermethylated genes in the placental tissues were detected by microarray. From the top 15 hypermethylated genes detected by microarray, two were selected for sequencing validation in placental tissue and chorionic villus samples and four were selected for COBRA validation in four placental tissues, ten amniotic fluids and five chorionic villus samples. The six selected genes were confirmed to be hypermethylated in placental tissue and chorionic villus samples, but methylation of the genes could not be detected in the amniotic fluids. Conclusions Of the many hypermethylated genes and methylation sites that were found in the fetal tissues, some have great potential to be developed into molecular markers for noninvasive prenatal diagnosis of monogenic disorders. Further clinical studies are warranted to confirm these findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aihua Yin
- Prenatal Diagnosis Centre, Guangdong Women and Children Hospital, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510010, China
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5
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Reliable detection of paternal SNPs within deletion breakpoints for non-invasive prenatal exclusion of homozygous α-thalassemia in maternal plasma. PLoS One 2011; 6:e24779. [PMID: 21980356 PMCID: PMC3182989 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0024779] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2011] [Accepted: 08/17/2011] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Reliable detection of large deletions from cell-free fetal DNA (cffDNA) in maternal plasma is challenging, especially when both parents have the same deletion owing to a lack of specific markers for fetal genotyping. In order to evaluate the efficacy of a non-invasive prenatal diagnosis (NIPD) test to exclude α-thalassemia major that uses SNPs linked to the normal paternal α-globin allele, we established a novel protocol to reliably detect paternal SNPs within the (−−SEA) breakpoints and performed evaluation of the diagnostic potential of the protocol in a total of 67 pregnancies, in whom plasma samples were collected prior to invasive obstetrics procedures in southern China. A group of nine SNPs identified within the deletion breakpoints were scanned to select the informative SNPs in each of the 67 couples DNA by multiplex PCR based mini-sequencing technique. The paternally inherited SNP allele from cffDNA was detected by allele specific real-time PCR. A protocol for reliable detection of paternal SNPs within the (−−SEA) breakpoints was established and evaluation of the diagnostic potential of the protocol was performed in a total of 67 pregnancies. In 97% of the couples one or more different SNPs within the deletion breakpoint occurred between paternal and maternal alleles. Homozygosity for the (−−SEA) deletion was accurately excluded in 33 out of 67 (49.3%, 95% CI, 25.4–78.6%) pregnancies through the implementation of the protocol. Protocol was completely concordant with the traditional reference methods, except for two cases that exhibited uncertain results due to sample hemolysis. This method could be used as a routine NIPD test to exclude gross fetal deletions in α-thalassemia major, and could further be employed to test for other diseases due to gene deletion.
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Askelund KJ, Chamley LW. Trophoblast deportation part I: review of the evidence demonstrating trophoblast shedding and deportation during human pregnancy. Placenta 2011; 32:716-23. [PMID: 21855136 DOI: 10.1016/j.placenta.2011.07.081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2011] [Revised: 07/12/2011] [Accepted: 07/18/2011] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Trophoblast deportation was first described before the turn of the 20th Century by the German Scientist Schmorl and is now considered a normal physiological process during human pregnancy. Increased shedding and deportation of placental trophoblast is well documented in preeclampsia, one of the most common diseases of pregnancy. This review summarises the seminal historical and contemporary publications that have contributed to our knowledge of trophoblast deportation to the maternal lungs, their presence and quantity in the maternal circulation during normal pregnancy and during preeclampsia, and the range of morphologies deported trophoblasts display. Finally, the contentious nature of the deported multinucleated trophoblasts' current nomenclature (syncytial knots vs. sprouts) is considered.
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Affiliation(s)
- K J Askelund
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, The University of Auckland, 85 Park Road, Grafton, Auckland 1023, New Zealand.
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7
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Flow cytometric methods for prenatal and neonatal diagnosis. J Immunol Methods 2011; 363:198-209. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jim.2010.09.039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2010] [Accepted: 09/29/2010] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
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8
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Fernando MR, Chen K, Norton S, Krzyzanowski G, Bourne D, Hunsley B, Ryan WL, Bassett C. A new methodology to preserve the original proportion and integrity of cell-free fetal DNA in maternal plasma during sample processing and storage. Prenat Diagn 2010; 30:418-24. [PMID: 20306459 DOI: 10.1002/pd.2484] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To develop a standardized blood collection device that preserves fetal cell-free DNA and minimizes the cell-free DNA background in maternal plasma. METHODS Blood samples were drawn from healthy pregnant donors into K(3)EDTA (BD vacutainer) and Cell-free DNA BCT tubes (Streck, Inc.) and kept at ambient temperature. Plasma was separated by centrifugation and cell-free DNA was extracted. Cell-free DNA from plasma was quantified by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS Blood drawn into Cell-free DNA BCT tubes showed no change in the original proportion of fetal cell-free DNA during a 14-day storage period at ambient temperature. Conversely, maternal blood drawn into K(3)EDTA tubes showed a steady reduction in the original proportion of fetal cell-free DNA over the same time period. Using maternal plasma stored in Cell-free DNA BCT tubes for 14 days, fetal cell-free DNA was amplified 80-fold using whole genome amplification (WGA). CONCLUSION Using Streck's Cell-free DNA BCT tubes, it is possible to preserve the original proportion of fetal cell-free DNA for extended times as well as minimize the post-sampling maternal cell-free DNA background. Preserved in this way, fetal cell-free DNA can be amplified by WGA technology to be used in prenatal diagnostic tests.
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Affiliation(s)
- M R Fernando
- Research and Development Division, Streck Inc., La Vista, NE 68128, USA.
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9
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Hahn S, Jackson LG, Zimmermann BG. Prenatal diagnosis of fetal aneuploidies: post-genomic developments. Genome Med 2010; 2:50. [PMID: 20687900 PMCID: PMC2945007 DOI: 10.1186/gm171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Prenatal diagnosis of fetal aneuploidies and chromosomal anomalies is likely to undergo a profound change in the near future. On the one hand this is mediated by new technical developments, such as chromosomal microarrays, which allow a much more precise delineation of minute sub-microscopic chromosomal aberrancies than the classical G-band karyotype. This will be of particular interest when investigating pregnancies at risk of unexplained development delay, intellectual disability or certain forms of autism. On the other hand, great strides have been made in the non-invasive determination of fetal genetic traits, largely through the analysis of cell-free fetal nucleic acids. It is hoped that, with the assistance of cutting-edge tools such as digital PCR or next generation sequencing, the long elusive goal of non-invasive prenatal diagnosis for fetal aneuploidies can finally be attained.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sinuhe Hahn
- Department of Biomedicine, University Women's Hospital, University Clinics Basel, Hebelstrasse 20, CH-4031, Switzerland.
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10
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Current and emerging techniques of fetal cell separation from maternal blood. J Chromatogr B Analyt Technol Biomed Life Sci 2010; 878:1905-11. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jchromb.2010.05.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2010] [Revised: 04/28/2010] [Accepted: 05/02/2010] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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Hahn S, Jackson LG, Kolla V, Mahyuddin AP, Choolani M. Noninvasive prenatal diagnosis of fetal aneuploidies and Mendelian disorders: new innovative strategies. Expert Rev Mol Diagn 2009; 9:613-21. [PMID: 19732005 DOI: 10.1586/erm.09.43] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The application of recent technical developments, such as digital PCR or shot-gun sequencing, for the analysis of cell-free fetal DNA, have indicated that the long-sought goal of the noninvasive detection of Down syndrome may finally be attained. Although these methods are still cumbersome and not high throughput, they provide a paradigm shift in prenatal diagnosis, as they could effectively pronounce the end of invasive procedures, such as amniocentesis or chorionic villous sampling for the detection of such fetal anomalies. However, it remains to be determined how suitable these approaches are for the detection of more subtle fetal genetic alterations, such as those involved in hereditary Mendelian disorders (e.g., thalassemia and cystic fibrosis). New technical developments, such as microfluidics and reliable automated scanning microscopes, have indicated that it may be possible to efficiently retrieve and examine circulating fetal cells. As these contain the entire genomic complement of the fetus, future developments may include the noninvasive determination of the fetal karyotype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sinuhe Hahn
- University Women's Hospital/Department of Biomedicine, Hebelstrasse 20, CH 4031 Basel, Switzerland.
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Li Y, Altarescu G, Renbaum P, Eldar-Geva T, Levy-Lahad E, Margalioth EJ, Zhong X, Hahn S, Holzgreve W. Non-invasive prenatal diagnosis using cell-free fetal DNA in maternal plasma from PGD pregnancies. Reprod Biomed Online 2009; 19:714-20. [DOI: 10.1016/j.rbmo.2009.09.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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13
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Zimmermann BG, Grill S, Holzgreve W, Zhong XY, Jackson LG, Hahn S. Digital PCR: a powerful new tool for noninvasive prenatal diagnosis? Prenat Diagn 2009; 28:1087-93. [PMID: 19003785 DOI: 10.1002/pd.2150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Recent reports have indicated that digital PCR may be useful for the noninvasive detection of fetal aneuploidies by the analysis of cell-free DNA and RNA in maternal plasma or serum. In this review we provide an insight into the underlying technology and its previous application in the determination of the allelic frequencies of oncogenic alterations in cancer specimens. We also provide an indication of how this new technology may prove useful for the detection of fetal aneuploidies and single gene Mendelian disorders.
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Zhang L, Wang Y, Liao AH. Quantitative abnormalities of fetal trophoblast cells in maternal circulation in preeclampsia. Prenat Diagn 2008; 28:1160-6. [DOI: 10.1002/pd.2135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
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15
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Hahn S, Zhong XY, Holzgreve W. Recent progress in non-invasive prenatal diagnosis. Semin Fetal Neonatal Med 2008; 13:57-62. [PMID: 18207470 DOI: 10.1016/j.siny.2007.11.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Although the first finding that fetal cells can enter the maternal circulation was made more than a century ago, it is still unclear if this finding will be translated into a clinically useful diagnostic tool in the foreseeable future. However, significant progress has been made via the analysis of cell-free fetal DNA in maternal plasma/serum and clinical services are now already being offered for the determination of fetal rhesus D status and sex. Currently, however, this technology is really only suited for the analysis of fetal genetic loci completely absent from the maternal genome. The detection of more subtle fetal genetic traits, such as point mutations involved in Mendelian disorders (thalassaemia, cystic fibrosis), is considerably more complex. Preliminary reports indicate that the detection of fetal aneuploidies might be possible using epigenetically modified genes, e.g. maspin on chromosome 18. Additionally, an exiting recent development is that it might be feasible to detect Down syndrome via the quantitative assessment of placentally derived cell-free mRNA of chromosome-21-specific genes such as PLAC4.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sinuhe Hahn
- University Women's Hospital/Department of Biomedicine, University Hospital Basel, Switzerland.
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16
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Noninvasive prenatal diagnosis: current practice and future perspectives. Curr Opin Obstet Gynecol 2008; 20:146-51. [DOI: 10.1097/gco.0b013e3282f73349] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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17
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Li Y, Finning K, Daniels G, Hahn S, Zhong X, Holzgreve W. Noninvasive genotyping fetal Kell blood group (KEL1) using cell-free fetal DNA in maternal plasma by MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry. Prenat Diagn 2008; 28:203-8. [DOI: 10.1002/pd.1936] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
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18
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Li Y, Holzgreve W, Hahn S. Size fractionation of cell-free DNA in maternal plasma and its application in noninvasive detection of fetal single gene point mutations. Methods Mol Biol 2008; 444:239-51. [PMID: 18425486 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-59745-066-9_19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Recent studies have shown that cell-free fetal DNA in maternal plasma can be enriched by means of size fractionation. This technique makes use of the smaller size of fetal DNA fragments compared with maternal DNA fragments isolated simultaneously. On this basis, a highly improved detection of fetal single gene point mutations is permitted. Here, we introduce the use of agarose gel electrophoresis for the size fractionation of cell-free DNA from maternal plasma and the detection of fetal beta-thalassemia mutations in the size-fractionated cell-free DNA by using peptide nucleic acid-clamping polymerase chain reaction (PCR) combined with an allele-specific real-time PCR assay. Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization/time of flight mass spectrometry has been reliably used for detection of fetal single gene point mutations in maternal plasma. We also present its use for genotyping paternally inherited single-nucleotide polymorphism alleles in the size-fractionated cell-free DNA from maternal plasma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Li
- Laboratory of Prenatal Medicine, University Women's Hospital/Department of Research, Basel, Switzerland
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Li Y, Page-Christiaens GCML, Gille JJP, Holzgreve W, Hahn S. Non-invasive prenatal detection of achondroplasia in size-fractionated cell-free DNA by MALDI-TOF MS assay. Prenat Diagn 2007; 27:11-7. [PMID: 17154237 DOI: 10.1002/pd.1608] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Achondroplasia is the most common form of short-limbed dwarfism in humans and is caused by mutations in the FGFR3 gene. Currently, prenatal diagnosis of this disorder relies on invasive procedures. Recent studies have shown that fetal single gene point mutations could be detected in cell-free DNA (cf-DNA) from maternal plasma by either the matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) assay with single allele base extension reaction (SABER) approach or the size fractionation of cf-DNA in maternal plasma. Here, we combined the two approaches to non-invasively examine the fetal G1138A mutation in maternal plasma. cf-DNA was extracted from maternal plasma samples obtained from two pregnant women at risk for achondroplasia. The fetal G1138A mutation was determined by the analysis of size-fractionated cf-DNA in maternal plasma using MALDI-TOF MS with SABER approach and homogenous MassEXTEND (hME) assay, respectively. The fetal G1138A mutation was detectable in the two achondroplasia-affected pregnancies by the analysis of cf-DNA in maternal plasma using MALDI-TOF MS. However, the size-fractionation approach led to a more precise detection of the fetal mutation in both analyses. This analysis would be suitable for non-invasive prenatal diagnosis of diseases caused by fetal single gene point mutations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Li
- Department of Research, University Women's Hospital, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
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Huang DJ, Zimmermann BG, Holzgreve W, Hahn S. Improvement of methods for the isolation of cell-free fetal DNA from maternal plasma: comparison of a manual and an automated method. Ann N Y Acad Sci 2007; 1075:308-12. [PMID: 17108225 DOI: 10.1196/annals.1368.041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
The low amount of cell-free fetal DNA present in the maternal circulation poses significant challenges to its use in future diagnostic applications, and ways of increasing the yield of this potential marker extracted from maternal plasma are constantly being explored. In this study, we compared two methods of DNA extraction, a manual and an automated method. Our analysis revealed that although the manual method yielded overall more total cell-free DNA, the automated system yielded higher quantities of cell-free DNA of fetal origin. Furthermore, the DNA isolated using the automated system appeared to be of greater purity than that isolated by the manual method, with fewer inhibitors to downstream real-time PCR reactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dorothy J Huang
- University Women's Hospital/Department of Research, Spitalstrasse 21, CH 4031 Basel, Switzerland
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Li Y, Hahn D, Wenzel F, Holzgreve W, Hahn S. Detection of SNPs in the plasma of pregnant women and in the urine of kidney transplant recipients by mass spectrometry. Ann N Y Acad Sci 2007; 1075:144-7. [PMID: 17108204 DOI: 10.1196/annals.1368.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
Recently, it has been discovered that cell-free fetal DNA is smaller than corresponding maternal DNA. Therefore, circulating fetal DNA can be enriched by size-fractionation. Such a selection improves the non-invasive prenatal diagnosis of paternally inherited single gene mutations. Recent studies showed that MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry (MS) can be used to reliably detect fetal-specific single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in maternal plasma. In this study, we looked at whether the size-fractionation approach could improve the detection of paternally inherited SNPs by MS assay. Our results indicated that the size-fractionation approach improved the analysis of paternally inherited SNP alleles. Our previous studies showed that donor-derived STR sequences could be detected in the urine of kidney transplant recipients. Here, we also examined whether donor-specific SNPs could be detected in recipient's urine by MS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Li
- Laboratory for Prenatal Medicine, University Women's Hospital, Department of Research, Spitalstrasse 21, CH 4031 Basel, Switzerland
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22
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Schütze K, Niyaz Y, Stich M, Buchstaller A. Noncontact laser microdissection and catapulting for pure sample capture. Methods Cell Biol 2007; 82:649-73. [PMID: 17586275 DOI: 10.1016/s0091-679x(06)82023-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/08/2022]
Abstract
The understanding of the molecular mechanisms of cellular function, growth, and proliferation is based on the accurate identification, isolation, and finally characterization of a specific single cell or a population of cells and its subsets of biomolecules. For the simultaneous analysis of thousands of molecular parameters within one single experiment as realized by DNA, RNA, and protein microarray technologies, a defined number of homogeneous cells derived from a distinct morphological origin are required. Sample preparation is therefore a very crucial step preceding the functional characterization of specific cell populations. Laser microdissection and laser pressure catapulting (LMPC) enables pure and homogeneous sample preparation resulting in an increased specificity of molecular analyses. With LMPC, the force of focused laser light is utilized to excise selected cells or large tissue areas from object slides down to individual single cells and subcellular components like organelles or chromosomes. After microdissection, the sample is directly catapulted into an appropriate collection vial. As this process works entirely without mechanical contact, it enables pure sample retrieval from morphologically defined origin without cross-contamination. LMPC has been successfully applied to isolate and catapult cells from, for example, histological tissue sections, from forensic evidence material, and also from tough plant matter, supporting biomedical research, forensic science, and plant physiology studies. Even delicate living cells like stem cells have been captured for recultivation without affecting their viability or stem cell character, an important feature influencing stem cell research, regenerative medicine, and drug development. The combination of LMPC with microinjection to inject drugs or genetic material into individual cells and to capture them for molecular analyses bears great potential for efficient patient-tailored medication.
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Affiliation(s)
- K Schütze
- PALM Microlaser Technologies GmbH, Am Neuland 9 + 12, 82347 Bernried, Germany
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Li Y, Hahn S, Holzgreve W. Recent Developments in the Detection of Fetal Single Gene Differences in Maternal Plasma and the Role of Size Fractionation. Ann N Y Acad Sci 2006; 1092:285-92. [PMID: 17308152 DOI: 10.1196/annals.1365.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
The presence of cell-free fetal DNA in maternal plasma allowed noninvasive prenatal diagnosis of fetal loci completely absent from the maternal genome, such as SRY gene and RhD gene. However, the detection of fetal point mutations is hindered by the predominance of maternal DNA sequences. Recent studies have shown that cell-free fetal DNA exists in maternal plasma in small fragments. Thus, cell-free fetal DNA can be enriched by size fractionation, which improves detection of fetal gene mutations. Furthermore, it has been shown that Matrix Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization Time-of-Flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry also permits the detection of fetal SNPs from maternal plasma. These two new developments are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Li
- Department of Research, University Women's Hospital, Basel, Switzerland
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Nagy GR, Gyõrffy B, Galamb O, Molnár B, Nagy B, Papp Z. Use of Routinely Collected Amniotic Fluid for Whole-Genome Expression Analysis of Polygenic Disorders. Clin Chem 2006; 52:2013-20. [PMID: 17008366 DOI: 10.1373/clinchem.2006.074971] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
Abstract
Background: Neural tube defects related to polygenic disorders are the second most common birth defects in the world, but no molecular biologic tests are available to analyze the genes involved in the pathomechanism of these disorders. We explored the use of routinely collected amniotic fluid to characterize the differential gene expression profiles of polygenic disorders.
Methods: We used oligonucleotide microarrays to analyze amniotic fluid samples obtained from pregnant women carrying fetuses with neural tube defects diagnosed during ultrasound examination. The control samples were obtained from pregnant women who underwent routine genetic amniocentesis because of advanced maternal age (>35 years). We also investigated specific folate-related genes because maternal periconceptional folic acid supplementation has been found to have a protective effect with respect to neural tube defects.
Results: Fetal mRNA from amniocytes was successfully isolated, amplified, labeled, and hybridized to whole-genome transcript arrays. We detected differential gene expression profiles between cases and controls. Highlighted genes such as SLA, LST1, and BENE might be important in the development of neural tube defects. None of the specific folate-related genes were in the top 100 associated transcripts.
Conclusions: This pilot study demonstrated that a routinely collected amount of amniotic fluid (as small as 6 mL) can provide sufficient RNA to successfully hybridize to expression arrays. Analysis of the differences in fetal gene expressions might help us decipher the complex genetic background of polygenic disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gyula Richárd Nagy
- 1st Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary.
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Li Y, Wenzel F, Holzgreve W, Hahn S. Genotyping fetal paternally inherited SNPs by MALDI-TOF MS using cell-free fetal DNA in maternal plasma: Influence of size fractionation. Electrophoresis 2006; 27:3889-96. [PMID: 16972300 DOI: 10.1002/elps.200600084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
The determination of fetal point mutations from fetal cell-free DNA (cf-DNA) in maternal plasma is technically challenging due to the preponderance of maternal sequences. It has recently been shown that fetal cf-DNA sequences are smaller than maternal ones and that the selection of small cf-DNA fragments by size fractionation by agarose gel electrophoresis leads to the enrichment of fetal cf-DNA sequences, thereby permitting the detection of otherwise masked fetal point mutations. In a separate development, the use of MALDI-TOF MS has also been shown to facilitate the detection of fetal point mutations from cf-DNA in maternal plasma. In this study, a combination of these approaches was examined. cf-DNA was extracted from 18 maternal plasma samples, 10 taken at term and 8 obtained early in the second trimester. A total of 41 SNP loci were examined in size-fractionated and total cf-DNA using either a conventional homogeneous MassEXTEND (hME) assay or a nucleotide-specific single allele base extension reaction (SABER) assay. The analysis of total cf-DNA indicated that size fractionation considerably enhanced the sensitivity of the standard hME assay, especially for samples taken early in pregnancy. Size fractionation also rendered the signals obtained by the SABER assay more precise.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Li
- University Women's Hospital, Department of Research, Basel, Switzerland
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Li Y, Holzgreve W, DI Naro E, Vitucci A, Hahn S. Cell-Free DNA in Maternal Plasma: Is It All a Question of Size? Ann N Y Acad Sci 2006; 1075:81-7. [PMID: 17108195 DOI: 10.1196/annals.1368.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
Fetal cell-free DNA (cf-DNA) represents only a small fraction of the total cf-DNA in maternal plasma. This feature has rendered it difficult to reliably distinguish fetal alleles which are not very disparate from maternal ones, such as those involving point mutations, by conventional polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based approaches. It has recently been shown that cell-free fetal DNA molecules have a smaller size than comparable cf-DNA molecules of maternal origin, and that this feature can be exploited for the selective enrichment of fetal DNA sequences, thereby permitting the detection of otherwise masked fetal genetic traits. By the use of this approach, we have shown that it is possible to detect fetal genetic loci for microsatellite markers, as well as point mutations involved in disorders such as achondroplasia and beta-thalassemia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Li
- Laboratory for Prenatal Medicine, Department of Research, University Women's Hospital, Spitalstrasse 21, CH 4031 Basel, Switzerland
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Traeger-Synodinos J. Real-time PCR for prenatal and preimplantation genetic diagnosis of monogenic diseases. Mol Aspects Med 2006; 27:176-91. [PMID: 16430951 DOI: 10.1016/j.mam.2005.12.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
The provision of prenatal diagnosis requires the highest standards in laboratory practice to ensure an accurate result. In preimplantation genetic diagnosis protocols additionally have to address the need to achieve an accurate result from 1 to 2 cells within a limited time. Emerging protocols of "non-invasive" prenatal diagnosis, which are based on analysis of free fetal DNA in the circulation of the pregnant mother, also have to achieve a result from a limited quantity of fetal DNA against a high background of maternal free DNA. Real-time PCR uses fluorescent probes or dyes and dedicated instruments to monitor the accumulation of amplicons produced throughout the progress of a PCR reaction. Real-time PCR can be used for quantitative or qualitative evaluation of PCR products and is ideally suited for analysis of nucleotide sequence variations (point mutations) and gene dosage changes (locus deletions or insertions/duplications) that cause human monogenic diseases. Real-time PCR offers a means for more rapid and potentially higher throughput assays, without compromising accuracy and has several advantages over end-point PCR analysis, including the elimination of post-PCR processing steps and a wide dynamic range of detection with a high degree of sensitivity. This review will focus on real-time PCR protocols that are suitable for genotyping monogenic diseases with particular emphasis on applications to prenatal diagnosis, non-invasive prenatal diagnosis and preimplantation genetic diagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanne Traeger-Synodinos
- Department of Medical Genetics, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, St. Sophia's Children's Hospital, Athens 11527, Greece.
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Troeger C, Holzgreve W, Ladewig A, Zhong XY, Hahn S. Examination of Maternal Plasma Erythropoietin and Activin A Concentrations with Regard to Circulatory Erythroblast Levels in Normal and Preeclamptic Pregnancies. Fetal Diagn Ther 2005; 21:156-60. [PMID: 16354996 DOI: 10.1159/000089068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2005] [Accepted: 05/25/2005] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Preeclampsia has been shown to be associated with an increased number of fetal and maternal erythroblasts in the maternal circulation, suggesting that preeclampsia involves increased leakage of fetal cells across the placental barrier, as well as increased erythropoiesis. We examined the relationship between circulatory erythroblast levels with maternal plasma concentrations of erythropoietin and activin A. METHODS In a case-control study, we examined 15 pregnancies affected by preeclampsia and 10 matched controls. Erythroblasts were enriched from maternal blood samples by magnetic cell sorting, enumerated and correlated with corresponding plasma activin A and erythropoietin concentrations. RESULTS The proportion of erythroblast was elevated in preeclampsia (0.8 vs. 0.1%, p = 0.023). Erythropoietin and activin A concentrations were significantly elevated in preeclampsia (100.4 vs. 44.5 pg/ml, p = 0.023, and 7.4 vs. 1.85 ng/ml, p = 0.029, respectively). Circulatory erythroblast numbers were found to correlate with plasma activin A concentrations (r = 0.76, p = 0.01) in cases with preeclampsia. No such relationship existed for erythropoietin. CONCLUSIONS Our data suggest that increased concentrations of activin A promote enhanced levels of erythropoiesis in preeclampsia. As the placenta is one of the major sources of activin A in pregnancy, this increase in activin A-dependent erythropoiesis in preeclampsia may be a reflection of an underlying placental hypoxic condition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolyn Troeger
- University Women's Hospital and Department of Research, University Hospital, Basel, Switzerland
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Huang DJ, Zimmermann BG, Holzgreve W, Hahn S. Use of an Automated Method Improves the Yield and Quality of Cell-Free Fetal DNA Extracted from Maternal Plasma. Clin Chem 2005; 51:2419-20. [PMID: 16306116 DOI: 10.1373/clinchem.2005.056010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
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Hahn S, Mergenthaler S, Zimmermann B, Holzgreve W. Nucleic acid based biosensors: The desires of the user. Bioelectrochemistry 2005; 67:151-4. [PMID: 16019267 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioelechem.2004.07.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2004] [Revised: 07/06/2004] [Accepted: 07/10/2004] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
The need for nucleic acid based diagnostic tests has increased enormously in the last few years. On the one hand, this has been stimulated by the discovery of new hereditary genetic disease loci following the completion of the Human Genome Project, but also by the presence of new rapidly spreading viral threats, such as that of the SARS epidemic, or even micro-organisms released for the purpose of biological warfare. As in many instances rapid diagnoses of specific target genetic loci is required, new strategies have to be developed, which will allow this to be achieved directly at the point-of-care setting. One of these avenues being explored is that of biosensors. In this review, we provide an overview of the current state of the art concerning the high-throughput analysis of nucleic acids, and address future requirements, which will hopefully be met by new biosensor-based developments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sinuhe Hahn
- Laboratory for Prenatal Medicine, University Women's Hospital/Department of Research, University of Basel, Spitalstrasse 21, CH 4031 Basel, Switzerland.
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Zhong XY, Holzgreve W, Tercanli S, Wenzel F, Hahn S. Cell-free foetal DNA in maternal plasma does not appear to be derived from the rich pool of cell-free foetal DNA in amniotic fluid. Arch Gynecol Obstet 2005; 273:221-6. [PMID: 16189693 DOI: 10.1007/s00404-005-0068-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2005] [Accepted: 07/27/2005] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Large quantities of cell-free foetal DNA have been detected in amniotic fluid, and it has been proposed that this material may contribute to the pool of cell-free foetal DNA in maternal plasma. METHODS Twelve maternal blood samples were obtained from pregnant women about to undergo an amniocentesis. Cell-free DNA was extracted from the maternal plasma samples and the matched amniotic fluid samples. The amount of cell-free foetal DNA was quantified by real-time PCR assays for the SRY and RHD genes. RESULTS Amniotic fluid was found to contain vast quantities of cell-free DNA (median concentration = 3,978 copies/ml amniotic fluid). The concentration of cell-free foetal DNA in maternal plasma was much lower (median concentration = 96.6 copies/ml maternal plasma). No significant correlation could, however, be determined between these two pools of cell-free foetal DNA. CONCLUSIONS Our data confirm that amniotic fluid contains prodigious quantities of cell-free foetal DNA, but as no relationship exists between this material and that in the maternal circulation, it is unlikely that the amnion contributes to the presence of cell-free foetal DNA in maternal plasma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao Yan Zhong
- Department of Research,Laboratory for Prenatal Medicine, University Women's Hospital, Spitalstrasse 21, 4031, Basel, Switzerland
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Babochkina T, Mergenthaler S, Dinges TM, Holzgreve W, Hahn S. Direct detection of fetal cells in maternal blood: a reappraisal using a combination of two different Y chromosome-specific FISH probes and a single X chromosome-specific probe. Arch Gynecol Obstet 2005; 273:166-9. [PMID: 16133462 DOI: 10.1007/s00404-005-0049-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2005] [Accepted: 06/17/2005] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND We have recently explored the detection of circulatory male fetal cells directly in maternal whole blood samples by fluorescence in-situ hybridization (FISH). In order to improve the efficacy of fetal cell detection, we have now examined whether this could be enhanced by the use of two different Y chromosome-specific FISH probes (alpha-satellite and classical satellite III regions) in combination with an X chromosome-specific FISH probe. METHODS Nineteen maternal blood samples (median gestational age = 28 weeks, range = 12-37 weeks) were examined in a blinded manner. No enrichment procedure was performed. Following hypotonic treatment and Carnoy's fixation, total nucleated cells were examined by two color FISH with a single X and two Y chromosome-specific probes. Nine cases were examined in parallel by conventional XY-FISH. RESULTS Fetal cell detection was superior when using two Y chromosome-specific probes (specificity = 75%; sensitivity = 91%) when compared to the conventional XY-FISH approach (specificity = 50%; sensitivity = 60%). CONCLUSIONS Male fetal cells can be detected in most maternal blood samples examined. Specificity and sensitivity is improved when using a combination of single X and two Y chromosome-specific probes when compared to a conventional XY-FISH protocol.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tatiana Babochkina
- Laboratory for Prenatal Medicine, University Women's Hospital/Department of Research, Spitalstr. 21, 4031, Basel, Switzerland
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Christensen B, Philip J, Kølvraa S, Lykke-Hansen L, Hromadnikova I, Gohel D, Lorch T, Plesch A, Bang J, Smidt-Jensen S, Hertz J, Djursing H. Fetal cells in maternal blood: a comparison of methods for cell isolation and identification. Fetal Diagn Ther 2005; 20:106-12. [PMID: 15692203 DOI: 10.1159/000082432] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2003] [Accepted: 01/07/2004] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE A variety of methods have been used to select and identify fetal cells from maternal blood. In this study, a commonly used 3-step selection method is compared with selection directly from whole blood. Identification of fetal origin by XY FISH of male cells was also evaluated. METHODS Maternal blood was drawn either before invasive chorion villus sampling (pre-CVS) or after (post-CVS) from women carrying a male fetus. Fetal cells were isolated either by density gradient centrifugation succeeded by CD45/CD14 depletion and CD71-positive selection from CD45/CD14-negative cells, or by CD71-positive selection directly from whole blood. The true origin of fetal cells recovered by the two methods was established by two rounds of XY chromosome FISH in reverse colors, in some instances combined with anti-zeta (zeta) or anti-zeta/anti-gamma (gamma) antibody staining. RESULTS In blood samples taken post-CVS and enriched by CD71 selection directly from whole blood, fetal cells were identified with a frequency that was almost four orders of magnitude higher than in post-CVS samples enriched by the 3-step method. In blood samples taken pre-CVS and enriched by the 3-step procedure, no fetal cells were identified by reverse color FISH in 371 ml of blood. In similar samples enriched by CD71 selection on whole blood, two fetal cells were identified in 27 ml of blood. Rehybridization with X and Y chromosome probes with reverse colors was necessary to exclude false Y chromosome signals. Not all fetal cells identified by the presence of a true Y chromosome signal stained with anti-zeta antibody. CONCLUSIONS Selection of fetal NRBCs from maternal blood by CD71-positive selection directly from whole blood is superior to density gradient centrifugation succeeded by CD45/CD14 depletion and CD71 selection of CD45/CD14-negative cells. Combining two markers for fetal origin is recommended for unambiguously identifying a cell as fetal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Britta Christensen
- Prenatal Research Unit, The Juliane Marie Center, section 4074, H:S Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark.
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Nagy GR, Bán Z, Sipos F, Beke A, Papp C, Papp Z. Isolation of epsilon-haemoglobin-chain positive fetal cells with micromanipulation for prenatal diagnosis. Prenat Diagn 2005; 25:398-402. [PMID: 15906407 DOI: 10.1002/pd.1167] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The isolation and analysis of fetal cells in maternal blood during pregnancy is under investigation as a means of noninvasive prenatal diagnosis. The aim of our study was to detect fetal gender from maternal peripherial blood samples during pregnancy with the detection and analysis of epsilon-haemoglobin-chain positive fetal nucleated red blood cells (NRBCs) collected by a micromanipulator. Here we report our first results. DESIGN AND METHODS We obtained maternal blood from 14 singleton pregnancies. After a double density gradient separation, magnetic activated cell sorting was performed by positive selection for nucleated red blood cells with anti-CD71. With the help of this enrichment step, followed by immunophenotyping with an anti-haemoglobin-epsilon monoclonal antibody, the isolation of the epsilon haemoglobin chain positive cells with micromanipulation could be done. We performed single cell fluorescent PCR analysis of these cells; we used primers for the amelogenin gene to detect fetal gender. We compared our findings with the results of amniocentesis. RESULTS Fetal gender was successfully determined in 11 out of 14 cases; among them, in 2 cases with Klinefelter syndrome (47,XXY). CONCLUSION The results of our study suggest that micromanipulation and QF-PCR analysis of anti-haemoglobin-epsilon fluorescent antibody stained fetal cells from maternal blood can be useful in prenatal diagnosis to detect fetal gender and promising to be improved to detect chromosomal abnormalities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gyula Richárd Nagy
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Semmelweis University, Faculty of Medicine, Budapest, Hungary.
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Mergenthaler S, Babochkina T, Kiefer V, Lapaire O, Holzgreve W, Hahn S. FISH analysis of all fetal nucleated cells in maternal whole blood: improved specificity by the use of two Y-chromosome probes. J Histochem Cytochem 2005; 53:319-22. [PMID: 15750010 DOI: 10.1369/jhc.4a6404.2005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Current cytogenetic approaches in noninvasive prenatal diagnosis focus on fetal nucleated red blood cells in maternal blood. This practice may be too restrictive because a vast proportion of other fetal cells is ignored. Recent studies have indicated that fetal cells can be directly detected, without prior enrichment, in maternal blood samples by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) analysis for chromosomes X and Y (XY-FISH). In our blinded analysis of 40 maternal blood samples, we therefore examined all fetal cells without any enrichment. Initial examinations using conventional XY-FISH indicated a low specificity of 69.4%, which could be improved to 89.5% by the use of two different Y-chromosome-specific probes (YY-FISH) with only a slight concomitant decrease in sensitivity (52.4% vs 42.9%). On average, 12-20 male fetal cells/ml of maternal blood were identified by XY- and YY-FISH, respectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susanne Mergenthaler
- Laboratory for Prenatal Medicine, University Women's Hospital, Spitalstr. 21, 4031 Basel, Switzerland
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Chinnapapagari SKR, Holzgreve W, Lapaire O, Zimmermann B, Hahn S. Treatment of Maternal Blood Samples with Formaldehyde Does Not Alter the Proportion of Circulatory Fetal Nucleic Acids (DNA and mRNA) in Maternal Plasma. Clin Chem 2005; 51:652-5. [PMID: 15738521 DOI: 10.1373/clinchem.2004.042119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
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Babochkina T, Mergenthaler S, Lapaire O, Kiefer V, Yura H, Koike K, Holzgreve W, Hahn S. Evaluation of a soybean lectin-based method for the enrichment of erythroblasts. J Histochem Cytochem 2005; 53:329-30. [PMID: 15750012 DOI: 10.1369/jhc.4b6408.2005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
We performed a comparative study of the enrichment of erythroblasts by a soybean agglutinin galactose-specific lectin method and a standardized magnetic cell-sorting (MACS) protocol. Blood samples, obtained from 11 pregnant women at between 11 and 40 weeks of gestation, were split and examined by each method in parallel. The number of erythroblasts recovered by the lectin method was approximately eightfold higher than the number obtained by MACS. Our data suggest that the lectin-based method may provide a better approach for the enrichment of rare fetal erythroblasts from maternal blood.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tatiana Babochkina
- Laboratory for Prenatal Medicine, University Women's Hospital/Department of Research, Spitalstr. 21, CH 4031 Basel, Switzerland
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Zhong XY, Gebhardt S, Hillermann R, Tofa KC, Holzgreve W, Hahn S. Circulatory nucleosome levels are significantly increased in early and late-onset preeclampsia. Prenat Diagn 2005; 25:700-3. [PMID: 16050002 DOI: 10.1002/pd.1204] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Elevations in circulatory DNA, as measured by real-time PCR, have been observed in pregnancies with manifest preeclampsia. Recent reports have indicated that circulatory nucleosome levels are elevated in the periphery of cancer patients. We have now examined whether circulatory nucleosome levels are similarly elevated in cases with preeclampsia. METHODS Maternal plasma samples were prepared from 17 cases with early onset preeclampsia (<34 weeks gestation) with 14 matched normotensive controls, as well as 15 cases late-onset preeclampsia (>34 weeks gestation) with 10 matched normotensive controls. Levels of circulatory nucleosomes were quantified by commercial ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbant assay). RESULTS The level of circulatory nucleosomes was significantly elevated in both study preeclampsia groups, compared to the matched normotensive control group (p = 0.000 and p = 0.001, respectively). CONCLUSIONS Our data suggests that preeclampsia is associated with the elevated presence of circulatory nucleosomes, and that this phenomenon occurs in both early- and late-onset forms of the disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao Yan Zhong
- University Women's Hospital/Department of Research, University of Basel, Switzerland
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Chiu RWK, Lo YMD. The biology and diagnostic applications of fetal DNA and RNA in maternal plasma. Curr Top Dev Biol 2004; 61:81-111. [PMID: 15350398 DOI: 10.1016/s0070-2153(04)61004-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/10/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Rossa W K Chiu
- Department of Chemical Pathology The Chinese University of Hong Kong Prince of Wales Hospital Shatin, Hong Kong SAR, China
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Li Y, Zimmermann B, Rusterholz C, Kang A, Holzgreve W, Hahn S. Size Separation of Circulatory DNA in Maternal Plasma Permits Ready Detection of Fetal DNA Polymorphisms. Clin Chem 2004; 50:1002-11. [PMID: 15073090 DOI: 10.1373/clinchem.2003.029835] [Citation(s) in RCA: 185] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Background: Analysis of fetal DNA in maternal plasma has recently been introduced as a new method for noninvasive prenatal diagnosis, particularly for the analysis of fetal genetic traits, which are absent from the maternal genome, e.g., RHD or Y-chromosome-specific sequences. To date, the analysis of other fetal genetic traits has been more problematic because of the overwhelming presence of maternal DNA sequences in the circulation. We examined whether different biochemical properties can be discerned between fetal and maternal circulatory DNA.
Methods: Plasma DNA was examined by agarose gel electrophoresis. The fractions of fetal and maternal DNA in size-fractionated fragments were assayed by real-time PCR. The determination of paternally and maternally inherited fetal genetic traits was examined by use of highly polymorphic chromosome-21-specific microsatellite markers.
Results: Size fractionation of circulatory DNA indicated that the major portion of cell-free fetal DNA had an approximate molecular size of <0.3 kb, whereas maternally derived sequences were, on average, considerably larger than 1 kb. Analysis of size-fractionated DNA (≤0.3 kb) from maternal plasma samples facilitated the ready detection of paternally and maternally inherited microsatellite markers.
Conclusions: Circulatory fetal DNA can be enriched by size selection of fragment sizes less than ∼0.3kb. Such selection permits easier analysis of both paternally and maternally inherited DNA polymorphisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Li
- University Women's Hospital/Department of Research, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
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Li Y, Holzgreve W, Page-Christiaens GCML, Gille JJP, Hahn S. Improved prenatal detection of a fetal point mutation for achondroplasia by the use of size-fractionated circulatory DNA in maternal plasma?case report. Prenat Diagn 2004; 24:896-8. [PMID: 15565648 DOI: 10.1002/pd.1030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The efficacious analysis of fetal loci involving point mutations from circulatory fetal DNA in maternal plasma is hindered by the preponderance of maternal DNA. It has recently been shown that the size difference between fetal and maternal DNA species can be used for the selective enrichment of circulatory fetal DNA in maternal plasma. We have now tested this approach for the detection of a fetal point mutation in the fibroblast growth factor receptor 3 (FGFR3) gene that causes achondroplasia. METHODS Circulatory DNA was extracted from maternal plasma and size-fractionated by agarose gel electrophoresis. The fraction with a size less than 300 bp was examined by a touchdown PCR assay specific for the FGFR3 gene, and the mutation was identified by SfcI restriction analysis. RESULT Our analysis indicated that although the fetal mutation was discernible in the analysis of total plasma DNA, the result using size-fractionated DNA was much more evident. CONCLUSION The enrichment of circulatory fetal DNA in maternal plasma by size-fractionation facilitates the detection of subtle feto-maternal genetic differences, such as those involving point mutations. This approach can easily be extended for the non-invasive prenatal determination of other fetal loci.
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Affiliation(s)
- Y Li
- Laboratory for Prenatal Medicine, University Women's Hospital/Department of Research, Basel, Switzerland
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Abstract
The launch of the genomics and postgenomics era has greatly expanded our understanding of the genetic basis of many diseases. In conjunction with the sociocultural trend to delay childbirth and to maintain smaller family units, extra demand may be placed on the existing prenatal diagnostic services. The inherent risk of fetal loss associated with current prenatal diagnostic procedures, such as amniocentesis and chorionic villus sampling, has spurred research into non-invasive prenatal diagnosis. Much research has been conducted on the exploitation of fetal genetic material present in the maternal circulation. The initial focus was on the isolation of intact fetal cells and subsequently, the existence of extracellular fetal DNA in maternal plasma was realized. Exciting developments have been achieved in recent years. A large-scale trial to evaluate the clinical utility of fetal cell isolation from maternal blood for fetal aneuploidy diagnosis was launched and data were recently published. Much has taken place in the research of fetal DNA analysis in maternal plasma and in one example, namely prenatal RhD determination, this type of analysis has been used in the clinical setting. This paper reviews the technological developments in non-invasive prenatal diagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rossa W K Chiu
- Department of Chemical Pathology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Room 38023, 1/F Clinical Sciences Building, 30-32 Ngan Shing Street, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong, SAR
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Current awareness in prenatal diagnosis. Prenat Diagn 2003; 23:179-85. [PMID: 12622104 DOI: 10.1002/pd.526] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
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Carosella ED, Moreau P, Le Maoult J, Le Discorde M, Dausset J, Rouas-Freiss N. HLA-G Molecules: from Maternal–Fetal Tolerance to Tissue Acceptance. Adv Immunol 2003; 81:199-252. [PMID: 14711057 DOI: 10.1016/s0065-2776(03)81006-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 253] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Over the past few years, HLA-G, the non-classical HLA class I molecule, has been the center of investigations that have led to the description of its specific structural and functional properties. Although located in the HLA class I region of chromosome six, the HLA-G gene may be distinguished from other HLA class I genes by its low polymorphism and alternative splicing that generates seven HLA-G proteins, whose tissue-distribution is restricted to normal fetal and adult tissues that display a tolerogeneic function toward both innate and acquired immune cells. We review these points, with special emphasis on the role of HLA-G in human pathologies, such as cancer, viral infection, and inflammatory diseases, as well as in organ transplantation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edgardo D Carosella
- Service de Recherches en Hémato-Immunologie, Direction des Sciences du Vivant, Département de Recherche Médicale, CEA Commissariat à l'Energie Atomique, Institut Universitaire d'Hématologie, Hôpital Saint-Louis, 75010 Paris, France.
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