Investigating Pregnancy and Its Complications Using Circulating Cell-Free RNA in Women's Blood During Gestation
Mira N. Moufarrej, Ronald J. Wong, Gary M. Shaw, David K. Stevenson, Stephen R. Quake
Abstract
In recent years, there have been major advances in the application of non-invasive techniques to predict pregnancy-related complications, for example by measuring cell-free RNA (cfRNA) in maternal blood. In contrast to cell-free DNA (cfDNA), which is already in clinical use to diagnose fetal aneuploidy, circulating RNA levels can correspond with tissue-specific gene expression and provide a snapshot of prenatal health across gestation. Here, we review the physiologic origins of cfRNA and its novel applications and corresponding challenges to monitor fetal and maternal health and predict pregnancy-related complications.
Topics & Concepts
PregnancyGestationMedicineCell-free fetal DNAObstetricsRNAFetusAneuploidyBioinformaticsPrenatal diagnosisPhysiologyGeneBiologyGeneticsChromosomePrenatal Screening and DiagnosticsRenal and related cancersMicroRNA in disease regulation