Exploring the potential of cell-free RNA and Pyramid Scene Parsing Network for early preeclampsia screening

Circulating cell-free RNA (cfRNA) is gaining recognition as an effective biomarker for the early detection of preeclampsia (PE). However, the current methods for selecting disease-specific biomarkers are often inefficient and typically one-dimensional.

This study introduces a Pyramid Scene Parsing Network (PSPNet) model to predict PE, aiming to improve early risk assessment using cfRNA profiles.

The theoretical maximum Preeclamptic Risk Index (PRI) of patients clinically diagnosed with PE is defined as "1", and the control group (NP) is defined as "0", referred to as the clinical PRI. A data preprocessing algorithm was used to screen relevant cfRNA indicators for PE. The cfRNA expression profiles were obtained from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GSE192902), consisting of 180 normal pregnancies (NP) and 69 preeclamptic (PE) samples, collected at two gestational time points: ≤ 12 weeks and 13-20 weeks. Based on the differences in cfRNA expression profiles, the Calculated Ground Truth values of the NP and PE groups in the sequencing data were acquired (Calculated PRI). The differential algorithm was embedded in the PSPNet neural network and the network was then trained using the generated dataset. Subsequently, the real-world sequencing dataset was used to validate and optimize the network, ultimately outputting the PRI values of the healthy control group and the PE group (PSPNet-based PRI). The model's predictive ability for PE was evaluated by comparing the fit between Calculated PRI (Calculated Ground Truth) and PSPNet-based PRI.

The mean absolute error (MAE) between the Calculated Ground Truth the PSPNet-based PRI was 0.0178 for cfRNA data sampled at ≤ 12 gws and 0.0195 for data sampled at 13-20 gws. For cfRNA data sequenced at ≤ 12 gws and 13-20 gws, the corresponding loss values, maximum absolute errors, peak-to-valley error values, mean absolute errors, and average prediction times per sample were 0.0178 (0.0195).

The present PSPNet model is reliable and fast for cfRNA-based PE prediction and its PRI output allows for continuous PE risk monitoring, introducing an innovative and effective method for early PE prediction. This model enables timely interventions and better management of pregnancy complications, particularly benefiting densely populated developing countries with high PE incidence and limited access to routine prenatal care.