Cell-free fetal DNA

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Cell-free fetal DNA (cffDNA) is

maternal age
. Two hours after delivery, cffDNA is no longer detectable in maternal blood.

Background

Cell-free fetal DNA sheds into the maternal blood circulation.

cffDNA originates from placental trophoblasts.[1][2] Fetal DNA is fragmented when placental microparticles are shed into the maternal blood circulation.[3]

cffDNA fragments are approximately 200 base pairs (bp) in length. They are significantly smaller than maternal DNA fragments.[4] The difference in size allows cffDNA to be distinguished from maternal DNA fragments.[5][6]

Approximately 11 to 13.4 percent of the cell-free DNA in maternal blood is of fetal origin. The amount varies widely from one pregnant woman to another.[7] cffDNA is present after five to seven weeks gestation. The amount of cffDNA increases as the pregnancy progresses.[8] The quantity of cffDNA in maternal blood diminishes rapidly after childbirth. Two hours after delivery, cffDNA is no longer detectable in maternal blood.[9]

Analysis of cffDNA may provide earlier diagnosis of fetal conditions than current techniques. As cffDNA is found in maternal blood, sampling carries no associated risk of

ethical and practical issues as other techniques such as amniocentesis and chorionic villus sampling.[15]

Some disadvantages of sampling cffDNA include a low concentration of cffDNA in maternal blood; variation in the quantity of cffDNA between individuals; a high concentration of maternal cell free DNA compared to the cffDNA in maternal blood.[16]

New evidence shows that cffDNA test failure rate is higher, fetal fraction (proportion of fetal versus maternal DNA in the maternal blood sample) is lower and PPV for trisomies 18, 13 and SCA is decreased in IVF pregnancies compared to those conceived spontaneously.[17]

Laboratory methods

A number of laboratory methods have been developed for cell-free fetal DNA screening for genetic defects have been developed. The main ones are (1) massively parallel

single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) based approach.[18][19][20]

A maternal peripheral blood sample is taken by venesection at about ten weeks gestation.[21]

Separation of cffDNA

Blood plasma is separated from the maternal blood sample using a laboratory centrifuge. The cffDNA is then isolated and purified.[22] A standardized protocol for doing this was written through an evaluation of the scientific literature. The highest yield in cffDNA extraction was obtained with the "QIAamp DSP Virus Kit".[23]

Addition of formaldehyde to maternal blood samples increases the yield of cffDNA. Formaldehyde stabilizes intact cells, and therefore inhibits the further release of maternal DNA. With the addition of formaldehyde, the percentage of cffDNA recovered from a maternal blood sample varies between 0.32 percent and 40 percent with a mean of 7.7 percent.[24] Without the addition of formaldehyde, the mean percentage of cffDNA recovered has been measured at 20.2 percent. However, other figures vary between 5 and 96 percent.[25][26]

Recovery of cffDNA may be related to the length of the DNA fragments. Another way to increase the fetal DNA is based on physical length of DNA fragments. Smaller fragments can represent up to seventy percent of the total cell free DNA in the maternal blood sample.[citation needed]

Analysis of cffDNA

In real-time PCR, fluorescent probes are used to monitor the accumulation of amplicons. The reporter fluorescent signal is proportional to the number of amplicons generated. The most appropriate real time PCR protocol is designed according to the particular mutation or genotype to be detected. Point mutations are analysed with qualitative real time PCR with the use of allele specific probes. insertions and deletions are analyzed by dosage measurements using quantitative real time PCR.[citation needed]

cffDNA may be detected by finding paternally inherited DNA sequences via polymerase chain reaction (PCR).[27][28]

Quantitative real-time PCR

sex-determining region Y gene (SRY) and Y chromosome short tandem repeat "DYS14" in cffDNA from 511 pregnancies were analyzed using quantitative real-time PCR (RT-qPCR). In 401 of 403 pregnancies where maternal blood was drawn at seven weeks gestation or more, both segments of DNA were found.[29]

Nested PCR

The use of nested polymerase chain reaction (nested PCR) was evaluated to determine sex by detecting a Y chromosome specific signal in the cffDNA from maternal plasma. Nested PCR detected 53 of 55 male fetuses. The cffDNA from the plasma of 3 of 25 women with female fetuses contained the Y chromosome-specific signal. The sensitivity of nested PCR in this experiment was 96 percent. The specificity was 88 percent.[30]

Digital PCR

Microfluidic devices allow the quantification of cffDNA segments in maternal plasma with accuracy beyond that of real-time PCR. Point mutations, loss of heterozygosity and aneuploidy can be detected in a single PCR step.[31][32][33] Digital PCR can differentiate between maternal blood plasma and fetal DNA in a multiplex fashion.[31]

Shotgun sequencing

High throughput

]

Mass spectrometry

anneal to the region upstream from the mutation site. One or two bases are added to the extension primer to produce two extension products from wild-type DNA and mutant DNA. Single base specificity provides advantages over hybridization-based techniques using TaqMan hydrolysis probes. When assessing the technique, no false positives or negatives were found when looking for cffDNA to determine fetal sex in sixteen maternal plasma samples.[35] The sex of ninety-one male foetuses were correctly detected using MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry. The technique had accuracy, sensitivity and specificity of over 99 percent.[36]

Epigenetic modifications

Differences in gene activation between maternal and fetal DNA can be exploited. Epigenetic modifications (heritable modifications that change gene function without changing DNA sequence) can be used to detect cffDNA.[37][38] The hypermethylated RASSF1A promoter is a universal fetal marker used to confirm the presence of cffDNA.[39] A technique was described where cffDNA was extracted from maternal plasma and then digested with methylation-sensitive and insensitive restriction enzymes. Then, real-time PCR analysis of RASSF1A, SRY, and DYS14 was done.[39] The procedure detected 79 out of 90 (88 percent) maternal blood samples where hypermethylated RASSF1A was present.[citation needed]

mRNA

mRNA transcripts from genes expressed in the placenta are detectable in maternal plasma.

beta-hCG mRNA are stable in maternal plasma and can be detected. (Ng et al. 2002). This can help to confirm the presence of cffDNA in maternal plasma.[16]

Applications

Prenatal sex discernment

The analysis of cffDNA from a sample of maternal plasma allows for prenatal sex discernment. Applications of prenatal sex discernment include:

In comparison to obstetric ultrasonography which is unreliable for sex determination in the first trimester and amniocentesis which carries a small risk of miscarriage, sampling of maternal plasma for analysis of cffDNA is without risk.[42] The main targets in the cffDNA analysis are the gene responsible for the sex-determining region Y protein (SRY) on the Y chromosome and the DYS14 sequence.[43][44]

Congenital adrenal hyperplasia

In congenital adrenal hyperplasia, the adrenal cortex lacks appropriate corticosteroid synthesis, leading to excess adrenal androgens and affects female fetuses.[45] There is an external masculinization of the genitalia in the female fetuses.[46] Mothers of at risk fetuses are given dexamethasone at 6 weeks gestation to suppress pituitary gland release of androgens.[47]

If analysis of cffDNA obtained from a sample of maternal plasma lacks genetic markers found only on the Y chromosome, it is suggestive of a female fetus. However, it might also indicate a failure of the analysis itself (a false negative result). Paternal

genetic polymorphisms and sex-independent markers may be used to detect cffDNA. A high degree of heterozygosity of these markers must be present for this application.[48]

Paternity testing

Prenatal DNA paternity testing is commercially available. The test can be performed at nine weeks gestation.[citation needed]

Single gene disorders

sickle cell anemia, spinal muscular atrophy, and myotonic dystrophy.[27][43] Prenatal diagnosis of single gene disorders which are due to an autosomal recessive mutation, a maternally inherited autosomal dominant mutation or large sequence mutations that include duplication, expansion or insertion of DNA sequences is more difficult.[49]

In cffDNA, fragments of 200 – 300 bp length involved in single gene disorders are more difficult to detect.[citation needed]

For example, the autosomal dominant condition, achondroplasia is caused by the FGFR3 gene point mutation.[50] In two pregnancies with a fetus with achondroplasia was found a paternally inherited G1138A mutation from cffDNA from a maternal plasma sample in one and a G1138A de novo mutation from the other.[50]

In studies of the genetics of

Huntington's chorea using qRT-PCR of cffDNA from maternal plasma samples, CAG repeats have been detected at normal levels (17, 20 and 24).[51]

cffDNA may also be used to diagnose

trisomy 21 (Down's syndrome) in the fetus.[52][32]

Hemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn

Incompatibility of fetal and maternal RhD antigens is the main cause of Hemolytic disease of the newborn.[53] Approximately 15 percent of Caucasian women, 3 to 5 percent of black Africa women and less than 3 percent of Asian women are RhD negative.[54]

Accurate prenatal diagnosis is important because the disease can be fatal to the newborn and because treatment including intramuscular

immunoglobulin can be administered to mothers at risk.[55]

PCR to detect RHD (gene) gene exons 5 and 7 from cffDNA obtained from maternal plasma between 9 and 13 weeks gestation gives a high degree of specificity, sensitivity and diagnostic accuracy (>90 percent) when compared to RhD determination from newborn cord blood serum.[53] Similar results were obtained targeting exons 7 and 10.[56] Droplet digital PCR in fetal RhD determination was comparable to a routine real-time PCR technique.[57]

Routine determination of fetal RhD status from cffDNA in maternal serum allows early management of at risk pregnancies while decreasing unnecessary use of Anti-D by over 25 percent.[58]

Aneuploidy

Sex chromosomes

Analysis of maternal serum cffDNA by high-throughput sequencing can detect common fetal sex chromosome

positive predictive value is low.[59]

An example of an algorithm for determining the indication for prenatal genetic testing for trisomy 21 (Down syndrome), wherein the genetic blood test (in center) is performed by detecting cffDNA in a blood sample from the mother.[60]
Trisomy 21

Fetal trisomy of chromosome 21 is the cause of Down's syndrome. This trisomy can be detected by analysis of cffDNA from maternal blood by massively parallel shotgun sequencing (MPSS).[61] Another technique is digital analysis of selected regions (DANSR).[61] Such tests show a sensitivity of about 99% and a specificity of more than 99.9%. Therefore, they cannot be regarded as diagnostic procedures but may be used to confirm a positive maternal screening test such as a first trimester screening or ultrasound markers of the condition.[61][62]

Trisomy 13 and 18

Analysis of cffDNA from maternal plasma with MPSS looking for trisomy 13 or 18 is possible[63]

Factors limiting sensitivity and specificity include the levels of cffDNA in the maternal plasma; maternal chromosomes may have

mosaicism.[64]

A number of fetal nucleic acid molecules derived from aneuploid chromosomes can be detected including SERPINEB2 mRNA, clad B, hypomethylated SERPINB5 from chromosome 18, placenta-specific 4 (PLAC4), hypermethylated holocarboxylase synthetase (HLCS) and c21orf105 mRNA from chromosome 12.

positive predictive value of 80% when using cffDNA to detect Down syndrome.[67]

Preeclampsia

Preeclampsia is a complex condition of pregnancy involving hypertension and proteinuria usually after 20 weeks gestation.[68] It is associated with poor cytotrophoblastic invasion of the myometrium. Onset of the condition between 20 and 34 weeks gestation, is considered "early".[69] Maternal plasma samples in pregnancies complicated by preeclampsia have significantly higher levels of cffDNA that those in normal pregnancies.[70][71][72] This holds true for early onset preeclampsia.[69]

Future perspectives

New generation sequencing may be used to yield a whole genome sequence from cffDNA. This raises ethical questions.[73] However, the utility of the procedure may increase as clear associations between specific genetic variants and disease states are discovered.[74][75]

See also

References

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