Plasma cell-free RNA for Pre-eclampsia Prevention and Therapies
Pre-eclampsia, a pregnancy complication that can potentially be fatal to both the mother and the child, affects 1 in 12 pregnancies and is a leading cause of death for maternal and perinatal mortality. However, there is limited clinical understanding of human pregnancy due to ethical concerns and the fact that some biological aspects of pregnancy (including pre-eclampsia) are mostly unique to humans, making animal models impractical for study. Thus, there is a growing need for more methods to study human pregnancy in order to develop greater comprehension. With respect to pregnancy complications, increased knowledge can help identify at-risk mothers to prevent complications from arising.
In a study published in Nature, Rasmussen et al. discovered a method to assess a woman’s risk of developing pre-eclampsia months beforehand: using plasma cell-free RNA (cfRNA) signatures from a single blood sample. RNA is a nucleic acid involved in important cellular processes, such as the synthesis of proteins and regulation of gene expression. Defects in RNA have been linked to numerous diseases including cancer. Although nucleic acids are typically contained within the cell, cell-free nucleic acids have been found floating in the plasma and are used as biomarkers for various illnesses and conditions. In this study, cfRNA transcripts were used as biomarkers to track a pregnant mother’s current stage of pregnancy and her risk of developing pre-eclampsia.
In a study published in Nature, Rasmussen et al. discovered a method to assess a woman’s risk of developing pre-eclampsia months beforehand: using plasma cell-free RNA (cfRNA) signatures from a single blood sample. RNA is a nucleic acid involved in important cellular processes, such as the synthesis of proteins and regulation of gene expression. Defects in RNA have been linked to numerous diseases including cancer. Although nucleic acids are typically contained within the cell, cell-free nucleic acids have been found floating in the plasma and are used as biomarkers for various illnesses and conditions. In this study, cfRNA transcripts were used as biomarkers to track a pregnant mother’s current stage of pregnancy and her risk of developing pre-eclampsia.
RNA signatures from a single blood sample can help predict a mother’s risk of pre-eclampsia.
Image Source: cottonbro
The researchers first gathered 2539 blood samples from 1840 pregnant women of many different gestational ages, ethnicities, nationalities, geographical locations, and socioeconomic contexts. They then utilized computational techniques to correlate cfRNA predictions with measurements of gestational age and pre-eclampsia risk based on gene analysis. Since these cfRNA transcripts were transcribed from genes made up of DNA, they could potentially reveal molecular processes that translate to broader pathological changes associated with gestational age and pre-eclampsia risk. From this data, the researchers were able to demonstrate that this method is generalizable to any woman independent of clinical factors like age, body mass index (BMI), or race. Additionally, this method reliably predicts pre-eclampsia risk before the typical detection window of pre-eclampsia. It also possesses the ability to distinguish pre-eclampsia from chronic hypertension, which often presents with similar symptoms, often confounding diagnosis.
This novel method of utilizing cfRNA signatures to predict pre-eclampsia risk provides a way to clinically assess and develop successful preventative or therapeutic measures before the complication develops. Additionally, it may help pave the way for more comprehensive research on human pregnancy health and complications. Coupled with improved techniques and knowledge, this method could also precede personalized or precision medicine by specifically honing on specific subtypes of pre-eclampsia or conditions relating to preterm birth.
This novel method of utilizing cfRNA signatures to predict pre-eclampsia risk provides a way to clinically assess and develop successful preventative or therapeutic measures before the complication develops. Additionally, it may help pave the way for more comprehensive research on human pregnancy health and complications. Coupled with improved techniques and knowledge, this method could also precede personalized or precision medicine by specifically honing on specific subtypes of pre-eclampsia or conditions relating to preterm birth.
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