Molekulare und genetische Medizin

Preservation of Circulating Cell-Free Fetal RNA in Maternal Blood Using a Blood Collection Device Containing a Stabilizing Reagent

Abstract

Jianbing Qin, Craig Bassett and Fernando MR

Objective: To investigate the ability of Cell-Free RNA BCT (BCT) blood collection device to stabilize fetal cellfree RNA in maternal plasma when compared to K3EDTA collection tubes. Design and methods: Blood samples were drawn from healthy pregnant donors into K3EDTA tubes and BCTs and kept at ambient temperature (22°C). Plasma was separated by centrifugation and cell-free RNA was extracted. Circulating fetalRNAs from plasma were quantified by digital droplet polymerase chain reaction (ddPCR). Results: Blood drawn into K3EDTA tubes showed a decrease in fetal mRNA concentration for human placental lactogen (hPL), β subunit of human chorionic gonadotropin (βhCG) and placenta-specific 4 (PLAC4) over three days of ex vivo incubation at 22°C. Blood drawn into BCTs, however, showed no significant change in mRNA concentrations over the same period of time. Conclusion: Cell-Free RNA BCT blood collection devicepreservescirculating fetal RNA in maternal blood for at least for three days at 22°C, which enhances the potential clinical utility ofcirculating fetal RNA in maternal blood for noninvasive prenatal diagnostic assay development.