Circulating fetal and total cell-free DNA, and sHLA-G in black South African women with gestational hypertension and pre-eclampsia

ABSTRACT

Objective: Quantification of circulating fetal and total cell-free DNA (cfDNA) and soluble human leucocyte antigen (HLAG) in gestational hypertension and pre-eclampsia.

Methods: Serum cfDNA were quantified in controls, pre-eclamptics, and gestational hypertensive patients using real-time qPCR. Soluble HLAG was measured by enzyme-linked immune-sorbent assay.

Results: Serum fetal and total cfDNA levels were higher in pre-eclampsia compared with the controls and gestational hypertensives (p < 0.001), more so in severe compared with mild-to-moderate pre-eclampsia (p < 0.05). Soluble HLAG levels were lower in pre-eclamptics than controls and gestational hypertension (p < 0.05).

Conclusion: Circulating fetal and total cfDNA were increased, while soluble HLAG was decreased in pre-eclampsia.

KEYWORDS:

• Fetal cell-free DNA
• total cell-free DNA
• soluble human leucocyte antigen
• pre-eclampsia
• gestational hypertension

Acknowledgments

We acknowledge Dr R. Maharaj, Dr K. Moodley, Ms Z. Mkhize, and Mr N. Soobryan for their assistance.

Declaration of interest

The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the article.

Funding

This work was supported by the South African National Research Foundation [91544].

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the South African National Research Foundation [91544].