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Simultaneous immunophenotyping and FISH on fetal cells from maternal blood
M A Ferguson-Smith1, Y L Zheng, N P Carter
1Department of Pathology, Cambridge University, United Kingdom.
Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences
|September 7, 1994
Summary
This study presents a novel method for noninvasive prenatal diagnosis using fetal cells from maternal blood. The technique enhances fetal cell detection, overcoming maternal cell contamination for accurate genetic testing.
Area of Science:
- Genetics
- Cell Biology
- Immunology
Background:
- Prenatal diagnosis of genetic disorders is crucial for fetal health.
- Current methods are limited by maternal cell contamination in fetal samples.
- Noninvasive prenatal diagnosis from maternal blood offers a safer alternative.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop an improved method for isolating and identifying fetal cells from maternal circulation.
- To enable accurate prenatal diagnosis even with significant maternal cell presence.
- To advance noninvasive prenatal diagnostic techniques.
Main Methods:
- Enrichment of fetal nucleated red cells using density gradient centrifugation and magnetic-activated cell sorting.
- Reduction of maternal leukocytes using CD45 and CD32 antibodies.
- Immunophenotypic identification of fetal hemoglobin for simultaneous FISH analysis with DNA probes.
Main Results:
- Successful isolation and identification of fetal cells from maternal blood samples.
- Demonstrated ability to perform diagnostic FISH analysis for fetal sex determination.
- Overcame challenges posed by maternal cell contamination, enabling accurate diagnoses.
Conclusions:
- The developed method significantly improves fetal cell isolation from maternal blood.
- This technique represents an advancement in noninvasive prenatal diagnosis.
- The method has broad applications for prenatal genetic testing and fetal sex determination.