孕妇血浆中胎儿DNA在产前诊断中的初步应用--胎儿SRY基因、STR基因型的鉴定

目的 :利用孕妇血浆中游离胎儿 DNA进行非创伤性产前基因诊断。方法 :对 6 5例 5～ 4 1孕周孕妇血浆胎儿DNA进行 SRY的 PCR扩增 ,以检出男性胎儿 DNA;同时采用短串联重复序列 (STR)多态位点即 CSFIPO、TPOX、THO1(CTT)三个位点的复合扩增方法对 19例妊娠女性胎儿的孕妇血浆 DNA进行扩增 ,以检出女性胎儿 DNA。两种扩增均采用母体血浆直接作为模板进行。结果 :SRY- PCR中 ,4 6例妊娠男性胎儿的孕妇中 ,有 30例血浆中出现 SRY基因扩增带 ,19例妊娠女性胎儿的孕妇血浆中仅 1例孕中期者为假阳性 (5 .3% )。本研究孕早、中、晚期的性别符合率分别为 6 0 %、84 .0 9%、5 0 % ,总符合率为 73.85 % .CTT- PCR中 ,19例妊娠女胎孕妇血浆中有 15例检出父源性等位基因即女性胎儿 DNA。结论 :应用孕妇血浆中胎儿 DNA作产前诊断敏感性和特异性较高 ,尤其是在孕中期 ,它是一种非创伤性产前诊断方法 ,适用于临床。     

孕妇血浆中胎儿DNA在产前诊断中的应用

目的依据孕妇血浆中存在游离胎儿DNA的理论,寻找一种无创性产前基因诊断的新方法。方法提取42例孕14~40周的产妇血浆中游离胎儿DNA,采用引物延伸预扩增(primerextensionpreamplification,PEP)后行PCR,特异性扩增其Y染色体重复序列(DYZ3)基因。同时采用9个短串联重复序列(shorttandemrepeat,STR)多态性位点的多重扩增方法以检出血浆中胎儿DNA。结果DYZ3-PCR中,32例妊娠男性胎儿孕妇中有28例血浆中出现基因扩增带,检出率为87.5%,10例妊娠女性胎儿孕妇血浆有2例假阳性结果。性别总符合率为85.7%,STR-PCR中,检测出孕妇血浆中父源性胎儿DNA的存在。结论应用孕妇血浆中胎儿DNA作产前诊断敏感性和特异性较高,是一种无创性产前基因诊断方法,具有广泛的临床应用前景。     

定量检测孕妇血浆中胎儿DNA在产前诊断的应用

目的探讨应用荧光定量PCR技术检测孕妇血浆中胎儿DNA量，了解胎儿DNA和母体DNA随孕周增长的变化，为将来应用于非创性产前诊断做临床前期研究。方法选择妊娠7～42周，B超确诊为单胎的孕妇58例，使用DNA试剂盒提取孕妇血浆中的胎儿DNA，用荧光定量PCR（FQ-PCR）技术测定血浆中β-actin基因和SRY基因的量。结果58例正常孕妇，有37例男性胎儿，检出率为100％。胎儿DNA的量在早孕组为9．08拷贝／ml（3．5～12．8），中孕组为45．41拷贝／ml（14．38～76．5），晚孕组为300．95拷贝／ml（84～840）。21例女性胎儿均未检出SRY基因。结论胎儿DNA随着孕周的增加而增长，母体血浆是进行无创性产前诊断的非常有价值的底物。     

运用O型血孕妇血浆中游离胎儿DNA检测胎儿ABO血型

目的:探讨利用O型血孕妇血浆中游离胎儿DNA检测胎儿ABO血型的可行性。方法:用酚/氯仿法从39例O型血孕妇(孕36~40+3周)且孕男性胎儿的血浆中提取胎儿DNA,巢式PCR扩增血浆中的SRY基因证实胎儿DNA存在,再用特异性序列-聚合酶链反应(SSP-PCR)检测胎儿ABO血型。用常规血清学方法测母体及新生儿血型。结果:10例孕A型血胎儿的孕妇血浆中扩增出A基因8例,6例孕B型血胎儿的孕妇血浆中扩增出B基因6例,23例孕O型血胎儿扩增出O基因而无A或B基因21例,准确性和敏感性分别为89.7%(35/39)和87.5%(14/16)。结论:利用孕妇外周血中游离胎儿DNA检测胎儿ABO血型可行,对诊断和预防新生儿ABO血型不合性溶血病的发生具有积极意义。     

荧光定量PCR检测孕妇血浆中胎儿DNA的研究

目的探讨荧光定量PCR（fluorescence quantitative PCR，FQ-PCR）方法检测孕妇血浆中胎儿DNA的可行性，探讨胎儿DNA在孕妇血浆中的含量及其在孕期的变化规律。方法以胎儿SRY基因序列作为胎儿DNA在孕妇血浆中的标志，应用荧光MGB（Minor Groove Binder）探针实时定量PCR方法连续测定30例孕妇在不同孕期和产后共237份血浆标本中胎儿DNA的含量。结果使用该方法最低可检测到20000个女性DNA中的一个男性DNA。孕妇血浆中最早检出SRY序列的时间为孕6^＋6周。孕8周起，所有怀男胎孕妇的标本中均可检出SRY序列，其含量随着妊娠的进展而增高，在晚期妊娠达高峰，产后24～48h血浆中SRY序列检测均为阴性。胎儿DNA在孕妇血浆总DNA含量中的相对浓度分别为孕早期4．88％、孕中期6．10％、孕晚期4．77％。全部实验无假阳性和假阴性出现。结论FQ-PCR方法是一种灵敏度和准确性高，特异性强的定量检测孕妇血浆中胎儿游离DNA的方法，孕妇血浆中存在高浓度的胎儿DNA，可用于无创伤性产前基因诊断。     

利用孕妇血浆游离胎儿DNA产前诊断胎儿RhD血型的研究

目的探讨无损伤性产前诊断胎儿RhD血型的方法。方法西安交通大学第二医院1999年2月至2001年12月，以妊娠14～40周的单胎孕妇为对象，其中RhD阴性孕妇8例，RhD阳性孕妇12例，利用PCR技术对孕妇血浆中游离胎儿DNA进行RhD基因第10外显子的特异性扩增，扩增片段长度为186bp，另外以等位基因RhCE基因为内对照，扩增片段长度为136bp，结果能同时扩增出186bp和136bp两条带，判断所妊娠胎儿血型为RhD阳性；扩增出136bp一条带，判断所妊娠胎儿血型为RhD阴性。8例RhD阴性孕妇中，5例扩增出136bp一条特异性片段，3例同时扩增出136bp和186bp两爷特异性片段；12例RhD阳性孕妇血浆标本，均同时扩增出136bp和186bp两条特异性片段，所有RhD-PCR扩增结果均得到脐血血清学检测结果的证实。结论利用孕妇血浆中游离胎儿DNA对胎儿RhD血型进行诊断，是一种简便、快速、特异性较高的产前诊断方法，值得临床推广应用、     

母血清及血浆中胎儿游离DNA的研究进展

发现母血浆及血清中胎儿游离DNA,为无创性产前诊断技术开辟新途径.利用母血中有男胎睾丸确定基因(SRY)特异性序列确定胎儿DNA存在.用PCR技术扩增SRY的单拷贝序列(DYS14),确定性别敏感性60%～100%.利用实时定量PCR技术测定母血清和血浆中胎儿DNA浓度,妊娠7周母血清中可确定胎儿DNA,随妊娠周增加胎儿DNA量也增高.另证明非整倍体核型胎儿在母血浆中的DNA浓度高于正常核型胎儿,母血浆中定量测定胎儿游离DNA技术可能成为筛查染色体非整倍体核型胎儿的一种手段.     

母血清及血浆中胎儿游离DNA的研究进展

发现母血浆及血清中胎儿游离DNA，为无创性产前诊断技术开辟新途径。利用母血中有男胎睾丸确定基因(SRY)特异性序列确定胎儿DNA存在。用PCR技术扩增SRY的单拷贝序列(DYSl4)，确定性别敏感性60％～100％。利用实时定量PCR技术测定母血清和血浆中胎儿DNA浓度，妊娠7周母血清中可确定胎儿DNA，随妊娠周增加胎儿DNA量也增高。另证明非整倍体核型胎儿在母血浆中的DNA浓度高于正常核型胎儿，母血浆中定量测定胎儿游离DNA技术可能成为筛查染色体非整倍体核型胎儿的一种手段。     

孕妇血浆中胎儿DNA的数量变化的研究

目的探讨孕妇血浆中胎儿游离DNA的数量变化的规律。方法提取68例孕妇血浆中的DNA,用实时荧光定量聚合酶链式反应(FQ-PCR)技术检测其胎儿SRY基因,并对其中怀男胎孕妇外周血浆中的胎儿DNA的数量进行动态分析。结果在怀男胎的孕妇外周血中均检测到了SRY基因,而在怀女胎的孕妇中未检测到。胎儿游离DNA最早出现的时间平均为7.7周,SRY基因拷贝数平均为5.53copies/ml。随孕期的增加,母血浆中胎儿DNA的含量在逐渐增加,并得出各孕周的标准参考值。在分娩后母血中胎儿DNA的含量就显著下降,到分娩后第二天就完全不能检测到。结论孕妇外周血浆中游离DNA的含量变化具有一定的规律,可以利用其进行无创伤性产前诊断。     

应用Rh阴性孕妇外周血胎儿游离DNA进行RhD血型产前基因诊断

目的探讨利用Rh阴性孕妇血浆中游离胎儿DNA进行无创性产前诊断胎儿RhD血型的方法。方法通过SRY基因确定胎儿DNA的存在，采用PCR-SSP技术对32例妊娠11～40周的单胎RhD阴性孕妇血浆中胎儿游离DNA进行RHD基因外显子5、7、10和内含子4的特异性扩增，其基因型结果与产后新生儿脐血血清学检测结果进行对比性分析，回顾性评价胎儿基因分型结果的准确性。结果32例样本中，28例基因定型结果与血清学表型相符，准确率达到87．5％，通过检测RHD1227A等位基因鉴定了RhD放散型，使结果达到93．75％（30／32）的准确率。结论利用Rh阴性孕妇血浆中游离胎儿DNA进行无创性诊断胎儿RhD血型，是一种简便、快速且无损伤性的产前基因诊断的可行性方法，可用于新生儿溶血病的预防和诊断，值得临床推广应用。     

Detection of Y chromosome-specific DNA in the plasma and urine of pregnant women using nested polymerase chain reaction

The present study was undertaken to evaluate a nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for detection of Y chromosome-specific fetal DNA in maternal plasma and urine of pregnant women during different gestational stages. DNA isolated from plasma and urine samples of 80 pregnant women (between 7 and 40 weeks' gestation) underwent amplification for Y chromosome-specific 198 bp DNA by nested PCR. The postpartum analysis of fetal gender showed that 55 women carried male and 25 female fetuses. Among the 55 women bearing male fetuses, Y chromosome-specific signals were detected in 53 (96%) plasma and 21 (38%) urine samples. Moreover, out of 25 women bearing female fetuses, 3 (12%) and 1 (4%) women had Y chromosome-specific signal in plasma and urine, respectively. Analysis of results with respect to gestational age revealed that there was no significant difference in the detection of Y chromosome-specific DNA between different trimesters in maternal plasma of women bearing male fetuses. These results showed that fetus-specific DNA was detected with high sensitivity (96%) and specificity (88%) in the maternal plasma by nested PCR, and therefore the method could be useful as a non-invasive procedure for fetal sex determination and prenatal diagnosis.     

Examination of fetal cells and cell-free fetal DNA in maternal blood for fetal gender determination

BACKGROUND: To assess applicability of noninvasive methods for prenatal sex determination, both intact fetal cells and cell-free DNA from maternal blood were studied. METHODS: Maternal peripheral blood samples were obtained from 41 women carrying chromosomally normal fetuses and from 3 women with aneuploid fetuses (47,XX,+18; 47,XY,+18 and 47,XY,+21) at 9-22 weeks of gestation. DNA was extracted from the plasma fraction and analyzed by the nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using Y chromosome specific primers. After fetal cells were enriched by MACS, fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) with chromosome X and Y specific probes was performed to detect XY cells. RESULTS: Although Y-chromosome-specific DNA was detected by PCR analysis in all maternal plasma samples with male fetuses, 26% women bearing female fetuses also gave positive results. By FISH analysis, XY cells were detected in not only 58% of women bearing male fetuses, but also 13% of their counterpoints with female fetuses. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggested that consistent results for fetal gender using PCR or FISH cannot be obtained with intact fetal cells and cell-free DNA present in maternal blood and plasma at 9-22 weeks of gestation, despite their apparent abundant presence.     

Replicate real-time PCR testing of DNA in maternal plasma increases the sensitivity of non-invasive fetal sex determination

BACKGROUND: We determined fetal sex in pregnancies referred for invasive prenatal diagnosis procedures by analysis of DNA in maternal plasma. METHODS: Twelve pregnancies at risk of X-linked haemophilia and 32 pregnancies at risk of chromosomal aneuploidies at a gestational age ranging from 10 to 18 weeks recruited before chorionic villus sampling or amniocentesis were involved in the study. Male fetal DNA in maternal plasma was detected by using real-time polymerase chain reaction with the SRY gene as a marker. RESULTS: The specificity of the system reached 100% (no Y signal was detected in 17 women pregnant with a female fetus) and the sensitivity reached 100% (SRY amplification in 27 examined samples). CONCLUSIONS: Amplification of free fetal DNA in maternal plasma is a valid and rapid technique for predicting fetal sex in first- and second-trimester pregnancies and could allow the restriction of invasive sampling procedures to male fetuses at risk of X-linked disorders.     

Fetal origin of single nucleated erythroblasts and free DNA in the peripheral blood of pregnant women.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the feasibility of using single fetal nucleated erythroblasts (FNRBCs) and free DNA in maternal blood for non-invasive prenatal diagnosis. METHODS: Single FNRBCs were isolated from 51 of 116 samples of maternal blood analyzed by micromanipulation after density gradient centrifugation. Furthermore, the nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method was used to amplify the SRY gene of single FNRBCs. Primer extension pre-amplification and nested PCR were used to amplify the SRY gene of the plasma DNA extracted from 65 samples of maternal blood. RESULTS: The detection rate of single FNRBCs was 90.20% (46/51). The concordance rates between real fetal sex and sex determined by amplification of the SRY gene from single cells and from free DNA analysis were 82.61% (38/46) and 90.77% (59/65), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Single nucleated erythroblasts and free DNA in maternal blood are of fetal origin and can be valuable fetal material sources for non-invasive prenatal diagnosis.     

Genetic analysis of the fetus using maternal blood

Circulating fetal DNA in maternal plasma and serum was first demonstrated by Lo et al. in 1997 and has become a useful tool for prenatal diagnosis less than five years later. There is more and more evidence that the trophoblastic cells act as the major source of this circulating fetal DNA. Contrary to fetal cells analysis in maternal blood which requires isolation and enrichment procedures, fetal DNA analysis is relatively easy to perform with the use of real-time PCR. Non-invasive fetal sex and fetal RHD genotype determination are, to date, the two main clinical indications. Those newly offered possibilities have changed the management of pregnant women who are carriers for X-linked genetic disorders; prenatal diagnosis by choriovillous sampling could only be performed for male fetuses avoiding an unnecessary risk of fetal loss for female fetuses. Moreover, fetal RHD genotyping by maternal blood analysis could be useful in RhD-negative women at risk of immunization in order to adapt prophylactic anti-D injection.     

Fetal sex determination from maternal plasma in pregnancies at risk for congenital adrenal hyperplasia

OBJECTIVE: To determine first-trimester fetal sex by isolating free fetal DNA from maternal plasma. METHODS: The index case was a pregnant woman who previously delivered a girl with congenital adrenal hyperplasia. The SRY gene as a marker for the fetal Y chromosome was detected in maternal serum and plasma by quantitative polymerase chain reaction analysis. Simultaneously, we performed the same test in 25 and 19 women in the first and second trimester, respectively, and compared plasma results with fetal gender as assessed by prenatal karyotyping or as seen at ultrasound or birth. RESULTS: In 44 of 45 patients at gestational ages ranging from 8 3/7 to 17 3/7 weeks, we correctly predicted fetal sex using quantitative polymerase chain reaction analysis of the SRY gene in maternal plasma. In one case, the test result was inconclusive. Overall, fetal sex was correctly predicted in 97.8% of cases (95% confidence interval 88.2%, 99.9%). CONCLUSION: Amplification of free fetal DNA in maternal plasma is a valid technique for predicting fetal sex in early pregnancy. In case of pregnancies at risk for congenital adrenal hyperplasia, the technique allows restriction of dexamethasone treatment to female fetuses resulting in a substantial decrease of unnecessary treatment and invasive diagnostic tests.     

Detecting fetal DNA from dried maternal blood spots: another step towards broad scale non-invasive prenatal genetic screening and feasible testing

Both intact fetal cells and cell-free fetal DNA are present in the maternal circulation and have been used for non-invasive prenatal genetic diagnosis. However, broad clinical application awaits development of robust methods for collecting, transporting and enriching maternal blood samples to recover rare fetal cells. To circumvent this impediment, we have devised a reliable method of fetal DNA detection using dried maternal blood spots and real-time polymerase chain reaction. Fetal Y-specific (DYS1) sequences were detected in all 19 (100%) maternal blood specimens from women carrying male fetuses, in genome equivalents of 4.20-24.68 per ml of blood; the ubiquitous glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) gene, reflecting both maternal and fetal DNA, concurrently showed 43,684 to 680,357 genome equivalents per ml of blood. The results demonstrate that fetal DNA detection using dried maternal blood spots is highly feasible and easily adaptable for population screening.     

应用套式聚合酶链反应技术检测孕妇血浆中胎儿DNA的研究

目的 依据孕妇血浆中存在游离胎儿ＤＮＡ的理论,寻找一种非创伤性产前基因诊断的新方法。方法 用套式聚合酶链反应技术对１２例１２￣４０孕周的初产妇血浆中游离胎儿ＤＮＡ进行特异性扩增,扩增的基因为Ｙ染色体短臂单拷贝基因片段（ＤＹＳ１４基因）,扩增片段的大小分别为２３９ｂｐ和１９８ｂｐ,１２例孕妇均采用母体血浆直接作为模板进行套式聚合酶链反应扩增。结果 １０例妊娠男性胎儿孕妇中有８例血浆中出现ＤＹＳ１４基     

Earliest gestational age for fetal sexing in cell-free maternal plasma

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate at what gestational age fetal DNA can reliably be detected at the earliest in maternal plasma. METHODS: We performed consecutive blood sampling in the first trimester of pregnancy in 17 women who were pregnant after in vitro fertilization (IVF) or intrauterine insemination (IUI). DNA was isolated and the Y-chromosome specific SRY was amplified by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR).We likewise studied 31 women prior to invasive prenatal diagnosis procedures for test validation purposes. All test results were compared to cytogenetic sex or sex at birth. RESULTS: The earliest SRY detection was at a gestational age of 5 weeks and 2 days. In none of 4 pregnancies ending in a miscarriage was SRY detected. We detected SRY in maternal plasma in 1 of 2 patients (50%) carrying a male fetus at a gestational age of 5 weeks, in 4 of 5 (80%) at a gestational age of 7 weeks, in 4 of 4 (100%) at a gestational age of 9 weeks. In all 7 women pregnant with a male fetus, the correct fetal sex was detected by 10 weeks. In none of the 6 patients who delivered a girl was SRY detected. In the validation group, SRY was detected in 13 of the 13 male, and none of the 18 female fetuses. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that real-time PCR of the SRY gene promises to be a reliable technique for early fetal sexing in maternal plasma.     

Maternal smoking: effect on circulating cell-free fetal and total DNA levels in maternal plasma from the second trimester

OBJECTIVE: To estimate whether potential clinical applications of cell-free fetal and total DNA in the field of noninvasive prenatal diagnosis need to be adjusted for maternal smoking status. METHODS: In this study, using 344 maternal blood samples from the second trimester of pregnancy, circulating cell-free DNA in maternal plasma samples, specific for the SRY and DYS14 loci (representing fetal DNA) and GAPDH sequence (representing total genomic DNA) were quantified by real-time polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: Fetal sex determination was 100% accurate using a combination of probes for SRY and DYS14. The levels of DYS14 and SRY detected were significantly correlated (r=0.884, P<.001). No significant difference was seen between the quantitative levels of cell-free male fetal DNA between the smoking groups and control group. Similarly, no significant difference was seen in the amount of total cell-free DNA in the study population. CONCLUSION: In contrast to first- and second-trimester screening assays for Down syndrome, where smoking status significantly affect levels of maternal serum analytes, smoking status does not affect quantitative levels of cell-free fetal DNA or total cell-free DNA in maternal plasma. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: II.