Maternal Blood Serum and Plasma Human Tumor‐Associated Antigen RCAS1 During the Course of Uncomplicated Pregnancies: A Prospective Study

Citation Tskitishvili E, Sharentuya N, Tsubouchi H, Kinugasa‐Taniguchi Y, Kanagawa T, Shimoya K, Tomimatsu T, Kimura T. Maternal blood serum and plasma human tumor‐associated antigen RCAS1 during the course of uncomplicated pregnancies: a prospective study. Am J Reprod Immunol 2010; 64: 218–224 Problem We aimed to investigate the expression of the tumor‐associated RCAS1 protein in maternal blood of uncomplicated pregnancies. Method of study Maternal blood was obtained from women with uncomplicated pregnancies (N = 43) at 11–13, 20–22, 32–34, 37–38 weeks of gestation, and immediately after delivery. Serum RCAS1 concentration was studied by ELISA, and plasma mRNA was subjected to real‐time (RT)‐PCR. Results Serum RCAS1 protein concentration was significantly up‐regulated at 11–13 and 20–22 weeks than that at 32–34 weeks and after delivery. RCAS1 mRNA level was significantly increased at 11–13 weeks than that at 37–38 weeks. A significant positive correlation was defined between RCAS1 serum concentration at 11–13 weeks and gestational age at delivery and that between plasma RCAS1 mRNA levels at 37–38 weeks and umbilical cord blood base excess. A significant negative correlation was found between RCAS1 serum concentration at 37–38 weeks and umbilical cord blood pH at delivery. Conclusions RCAS1 protein might have importance in the development of uncomplicated pregnancies and for the prediction of pregnancy outcome.