Evaluation of bidirectional transfer of plasma DNA through placenta

To clarify the origin of cell-free fetal DNA in maternal plasma, we analyzed bidirectional transfer of plasma DNA between fetus and mother. We analyzed maternal and fetal plasma DNA obtained from 15 pregnant women at the time of Cesarean section. The subjects were five patients with preeclampsia and...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Human genetics 2003-09, Vol.113 (4), p.307-310
Main Authors: SEKIZAWA, Akihiko, YOKOKAWA, Kaori, SUGITO, Yumi, IWASAKI, Mariko, YUKIMOTO, Yasuo, ICHIZUKA, Kiyotake, SAITO, Hiroshi, OKAI, Takashi
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Biological and medical sciences
Cesarean section
DNA
DNA - blood
Female
Fetal Blood - metabolism
Genes
Genetic Markers
Gynecology. Andrology. Obstetrics
Humans
Management. Prenatal diagnosis
Maternal-Fetal Exchange - genetics
Medical sciences
Placenta - metabolism
Polymorphism, Genetic
Pregnancy
Pregnancy. Fetus. Placenta
Pregnant women
Tandem Repeat Sequences
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Summary:To clarify the origin of cell-free fetal DNA in maternal plasma, we analyzed bidirectional transfer of plasma DNA between fetus and mother. We analyzed maternal and fetal plasma DNA obtained from 15 pregnant women at the time of Cesarean section. The subjects were five patients with preeclampsia and 10 gestational-age-matched normal controls. DNA was extracted from 1.5-ml plasma samples and the cellular fraction of maternal and umbilical blood. Seven polymorphic marker genes were analyzed. The relative concentration of fetal DNA in maternal plasma and maternal DNA in cord blood were evaluated. The relative concentration of maternal DNA in fetal circulation (median, 0.9%; range, 0.2-8.4%) was significantly lower than that of fetal DNA in maternal blood (14.3%, 2.3-64%), with P=0.007. The relative concentration of maternal DNA in fetal blood was not affected by preeclampsia. These findings indicate that cell-free DNA is unequally transferred through the placenta. The structural characteristics of the placenta suggest that the majority of cell-free fetal DNA in maternal plasma is derived from villous trophoblasts.
ISSN:0340-6717
1432-1203
DOI:10.1007/s00439-003-0987-4