摘要 |
CD45<-ve> fetal cells without a maternal equivalent can be purified and expanded from maternal blood in the first trimester, thereby providing abundant fetal material for genetic testing by a non-invasive route. Advantageously, the cells are adherent and CD14<-ve>, CD34<-ve>, CD68<-ve>, vWF<-ve>, myoglobin<-ve>, collagen-I<-ve>, cytokeratin<-ve>, CD44<+ve>, CD105<+ve>, CD106<+ve>, prolyl-4-hydroxylase<+ve>, fibronectin<+ve>, alpha -smooth muscle actin<+ve>, and laminin<+ve>. A process for preparing cells is disclosed, comprising the steps of (a) extracting a blood sample from a pregnant female, and (b) enriching nucleated CD45<-ve> fetal cells therein. A process for prenatal testing of a fetus for a genetic disorder comprises the further step of (c) testing the enriched nucleated CD45<-ve> fetal cell. |