Fetal cells circulating in the peripheral blood of preg-
nant women are a potential target for noninvasive
genetic analyses. They include epithelial (trophoblas-
tic) cells, which are larger than peripheral blood leu-
kocytes.
Yes this is the great potential area and will resolve a lot of problem including the fetal blood groups.
It would be ideal to use fetal cells circulating in the maternal system. Before Dennis Lo et al. found that there is placental DNA in the maternal system, some studies were made focusing on fetal cells. However, these cells are extremely rare and it is difficult to collect them. In addition they persist for years, so that you will find fetal cells in a current pregnancy that comes from a previous one. In terms of screening for trisomy, the results of these studies (NIFTY) were not that promising, in fact worse that first trimester screening. If however, it is possible to overcome these limitations, fetal cells could be a key towards screening for chromosomal defects and other disorders.
I agree Kagan. The other limitation is very difficult to ruled out a possible mosaicism, because are few cells and besides confined placental mosaicism in trophoblastic cells.
luis
Is there trophoblastic cells in the maternal cervix?
luis
Yes we can found trophoblastic cells in the maternal cervix. You can make non invasive prenatal diagnosis with this cells. Cioni et al. Prenatal Diagnosis 2005.
I send to you 2 abstracts down load from Pubmed
good luck
luis
Dear Adam
I sent to you 2 summaries of 2 publications, but I have not access to full text, if you can down load this publications would you mind send to me?
thank you
luis
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