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Detection of fetal cells in maternal blood |
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| Authors: | Dr S C Yeoh I L Sargent C W G Redman B P Wordsworth S L Thein |
| Institution: | 1. Harris Birthright Perinatal Unit, Nit/field Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Oxford, John Radcliffe Hospital, Headington, Oxford OX3 9DU, U.K.;2. Molecular Immunology Unit, Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford, John Radcliffe Hospital, Headington, Oxford OX3 9DU, U.K.;3. Molecular Haematology Unit, Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford, John Radcliffe Hospital, Headington, Oxford OX3 9DU, U.K. |
| Abstract: | We report the detection of fetal cells in the maternal circulation by enzymatic amplification of a single copy gene sequence that was fetal-specific. Fetal HLA-A2-positive cells were sorted from maternal HLA-A2-negative cells by flow cytometry and confirmed by demonstration of a fetal-specific HLA-DR4 sequence. However, this sequence could not be detected in unenriched maternal DNA prepared at 28 and 32 weeks' gestation. The sensitivity of detection was 1 HLA-DR4-positive cell in 105 HLA-DR4-negative cells. We conclude that prenatal diagnosis of paternally inherited autosomal-dominant genetic defects may be possible by selective gene amplification of maternal peripheral blood. However, preliminary enrichment for fetal cells may be necessary. |
| Keywords: | Prenatal diagnosis Enzymatic amplification Polymerase chain reaction Fetal cells Flow cytometry |