Detection of Placental miRNAs in Maternal Plasma

Abstract

The discovery of fetal nucleic acids in the plasma of pregnant women (Lancet 350:485–487, 1997, Nat Rev Genet 8:71–77, 2007; Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 100:4748 –4753, 2003) has led to the development of a number of noninvasive prenatal diagnostic tests. Nucleic acids of placental origin were previously shown to be released into maternal plasma (Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 100:4748–4753, 2003; Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 102:14753–14758, 2005). The recent work documented by Lo’s group from the Centre for Research into Circulating Fetal Nucleic Acids, Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong (Hong Kong SAR, China) (Clin Chem 54:482–490, 2008) clearly demonstrated that placental miRNAs exist in maternal plasma in readily detectable quantities. The successful application of the approach indicates that placental miRNAs represent a novel class of fetal nucleic acid markers in maternal plasma. Because miRNAs are exceptionally stable in plasma, they hold promise as markers in the clinical setting. The measurement of miRNAs in maternal plasma may become a useful and practical strategy for prenatal monitoring and diagnosis.