AUTHOR=Moufarrej Mira N. , Wong Ronald J. , Shaw Gary M. , Stevenson David K. , Quake Stephen R. 

TITLE=Investigating Pregnancy and Its Complications Using Circulating Cell-Free RNA in Women's Blood During Gestation

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Pediatrics

VOLUME=8

YEAR=2020

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/pediatrics/articles/10.3389/fped.2020.605219

DOI=10.3389/fped.2020.605219

ISSN=2296-2360

ABSTRACT=<p>In recent years, there have been major advances in the application of non-invasive techniques to predict pregnancy-related complications, for example by measuring cell-free RNA (cfRNA) in maternal blood. In contrast to cell-free DNA (cfDNA), which is already in clinical use to diagnose fetal aneuploidy, circulating RNA levels can correspond with tissue-specific gene expression and provide a snapshot of prenatal health across gestation. Here, we review the physiologic origins of cfRNA and its novel applications and corresponding challenges to monitor fetal and maternal health and predict pregnancy-related complications.</p>