METHODS AND KITS FOR DETECTING FETAL CELLS IN THE MATERNAL BLOOD

摘要

Provided is a method of identifying a trophoblast by detecting in cells of a biological sample, with the proviso that the biological sample does not comprise a placental tissue, expression of a trophoblast marker selected from the group consisting of an annexin IV, a cytokeratin-7, a cytokeratin-8 and a cytokeratin-19; and classifying cells exhibiting expression of the trophoblast marker as trophoblasts. Also provided are methods of detecting a pregnancy in a subject, isolating trophoblasts from biological samples and prenatally diagnosing a conceptus using the identified trophoblasts.