A novel method to identify syncytiotrophoblast-derived RNA products representative of trisomy 21 placental RNA in maternal plasma.

A novel in vitro method is described wherein gene expression profiling is reflective and informative for the way how syncytiotrophoblast cells shed RNA products in vivo in maternal plasma. After controlled denudation, RNA is obtained selectively from the syncytiotrophoblast cells of trisomy 21 placentae. cDNA copies are subsequently analyzed by microarray profiling and cDNA cloning with sequencing.

Detection of chromosome 21-encoded mRNA of placental origin in maternal plasma.

Background: mRNA of placental origin (i.e., human placental lactogen and beta-human chorionic gonadotropin) has been demonstrated to be easily detectable in maternal plasma.