J Genet Med.  2016 Dec;13(2):65-71. 10.5734/JGM.2016.13.2.65.

An overview of current knowledge about cell-free RNA in amniotic fluid

• Jung YW
• Shin YJ
• Shim SH
• Cha DH

• KMID: 2369022
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5734/JGM.2016.13.2.65

Abstract

Cell-free nucleic acids (cf-NAs) originate in trophoblasts and are detected in the maternal plasma. Using innovative bioinformatic technologies such as next-generation sequencing, cf-NAs in the maternal plasma have been rapidly applied in prenatal genetic screening for fetal aneuploidy. Amniotic fluid is a complex and dynamic fluid that provides growth factors and protection to the fetus. In 2001, the presence of cf-NA in amniotic fluid was reported. Amniotic fluid is in direct contact with the fetus and is derived from fetal urine and maternal and fetal plasma. Therefore, these genetic materials have been suggested to reflect fetal health and provide real-time genetic information regarding fetal development. Recently, several studies evaluated the global gene expression changes of amniot ic fluid cell-free RNA according to gestational age. In addition, by analyzing the transcriptome in the amniotic fluid of fetal aneuploidy, potential key pathways and novel biomarkers for fetal chromosomal aneuploidy were identified. Here, we review the current knowledge of cell-free RNA in amniotic fluid and suggest future research directions.

Keyword

Amniotic fluid; Transcriptome; Gene expression profiling; Prenatal diagnosis; Fetal development

MeSH Terms

Amniotic Fluid*
Aneuploidy
Biomarkers
Computational Biology
Female
Fetal Development
Fetus
Gene Expression
Gene Expression Profiling
Genetic Testing
Gestational Age
Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
Nucleic Acids
Plasma
Prenatal Diagnosis
RNA*
Transcriptome
Trophoblasts
Biomarkers
Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
Nucleic Acids
RNA