RASSF1A in maternal plasma as a molecular marker of preeclampsia.

Objectives: This study aimed to quantitate cell free (cf) and cell free fetal (cff) DNA in maternal plasma by determining RASSF1A levels before and after enzyme digestion in women who subsequently developed preeclampsia (PE) and compare them with uncomplicated pregnancies.

Methods: Twenty-four samples from pregnant women who developed PE and 48 samples from women with uncomplicated pregnancies were analysed. Blood samples were obtained at 11-13 weeks.

Application of proteomics for the identification of differentially expressed protein markers for Down syndrome in maternal plasma.

Background: Despite the large impact of ultrasonographic and biochemical markers on prenatal screening, the ability to accurately diagnose Down syndrome (DS) is still limited and better diagnostic testing is needed.

Methods: Plasma from 8 women carrying a DS foetus and 12 with non-DS foetuses matched for gestational age, maternal age and ethnicity, in the second trimester of pregnancy, was analysed by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE) and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS) in order to identify biomarkers for DS.

Results: Gel comparison revealed nine proteins differentially expressed in maternal plasma in women with DS foetuses.