Investigation of biological factors influencing the placental mRNA profile in maternal plasma

Nancy B Y Tsui, Sze Chuen Cesar Wong, Katherine C K Chow, Elena S F Lo, Yvonne K Y Cheng

Research output: Journal article publicationJournal articleAcademic researchpeer-review

4 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Objective: Circulating placental-derived RNA is useful for noninvasive prenatal investigation. However, in addition to placental gene expression, there are limited investigations on other biological parameters that may affect the circulating placental RNA profile. In this study, we explored two of these potential parameters. Methods: We first demonstrated the existence of such biological parameters by comparing the relative levels of a panel of placental-derived transcripts between the placentas and maternal plasma by digital PCRs. We then compared the post-delivery clearance of the transcripts by serial plasma samples collected from pregnant women after delivery. We also studied the placental in vivo localization of the transcripts by in situ hybridization. Results: There was an imperfect correlation of the transcript levels between the placentas and maternal plasma, with placenta-specific 4 (PLAC4) mRNA showing the largest discrepancy. Although PLAC4 mRNA showed a similar clearance half-life with other transcripts, we observed a preferential localization of PLAC4 mRNA around the villous surface. We speculated that this phenomenon might play a role in favoring the release of PLAC4 mRNA molecules into maternal plasma. Conclusion: We revealed that in addition to expression levels in the placenta, other biological factors might interplay to determine the maternal plasma profile of placental-derived RNAs.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)251-258
Number of pages8
JournalPrenatal Diagnosis
Volume34
Issue number3
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Mar 2014

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Genetics(clinical)
  • Obstetrics and Gynaecology
  • General Medicine

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Investigation of biological factors influencing the placental mRNA profile in maternal plasma'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this