The development of a genetic profile of placental gene expression during the first trimester of pregnancy: A potential tool for identifying novel secreted markers

Objectives: Many of the maternal serum markers used in prenatal screening h ave been developed or evolved based on serendipity. This study determines t he feasibility of developing a genetic profile of placental gene expression during early pregnancy; such a gene repertoire may serve as a tool for ide ntifying novel secreted markers. Methods: RNA fingerprinting was used to pr oduce a differential expression map in normal aborted placentae of weeks 9 and 13. Results: Out of 212 gene expression differences, 115 were up-regula ted at week 9 and the remaining 97 up-regulated at week 13. Ninety-four wer e found to be previously characterised genes and 118 were expressed sequenc e tags or novel genes, Seven of the known genes were found to be secreted p roteins and included well-characterised pregnancy markers, mRNA levels of t hese secreted proteins were found to correlate with levels found in materna l serum, Conclusion: This approach enabled the identification of known secr eted markers leaving open the possibility of finding new markers. With the human genome project nearing completion, it will be vital to use a systemat ic approach to understand the actual pattern of gene expression during preg nancy. This will also allow a more ordered and precise identification of no vel prenatal diagnostic markers. Copyright (C) 2000 S. Karger AG. Basel.