Proteomic analysis of biological fluids

Abstract

The invention concerns the identification of proteomes of biological fluids and their use in determining the state of maternal / fetal conditions, including maternal conditions of fetal origin, chromosomal aneuploidies, and fetal diseases associated with fetal growth and maturation. In particular, the invention concerns the identification of the proteome of amniotic fluid (multiple proteins representing the composition of amniotic fluid) and the correlation of characteristic changes in the normal proteome with various pathologic maternal / fetal conditions, such as intra-amniotic infection, or chromosomal defects.

Description

[0001]This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 10 / 400,005, filed Mar. 25, 2003.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]1. Field of the Invention[0003]The invention concerns the identification of proteomes of biological fluids and their use in determining the state of maternal / fetal conditions, including maternal conditions of fetal origin, chromosomal aneuploidies, and fetal diseases associated with fetal growth and maturation. In particular, the invention concerns the identification of the proteome of amniotic fluid (multiple proteins representing the composition of amniotic fluid) and the correlation of characteristic changes in the normal proteome with various pathologic maternal / fetal conditions, such as intra-amniotic infection, or chromosomal defects.[0004]2. Description of the Related Art[0005]Proteomics[0006]The large-scale analysis of protein expression patterns is emerging as an important and necessary complement to current DNA cloning and gene profiling ap...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0014]The present invention further provides proteomic profiles of biological fluids, such as amniotic fluid and maternal serum, which enable the diagnosis, prognosis, and monitoring of various pathologic fetal / maternal conditions, including, without limitation, intra-amniotic infection (IAI), chromosomal aneuploidies, and fetal diseases associated with fetal growth and maturation. In particular, the present invention provides normal and pathologic proteomic profiles for IAI and chromosomal aneuploidies. The determination of the normal proteomic profile is of great importance, since it enables the elimination of the fetal / maternal condition in question (negative diagnosis), which eliminates the need to subject the patient to unnecessary and potentially dangerous treatment or intervention.

Problems solved by technology

DNA sequence information is helpful in deducing some structural and potential protein modifications based on homology methods, but it does not provide information on regulation of protein function through post-translational modifications, proteolysis or compartmentalization.

There are numerous pathologic maternal and fetal conditions, such as intra-amniotic infection (IAI), preeclampsia, preterm delivery and labor, and chromosomal aneuploidies, that may develop during pregnancy and compromise the well-being or, in some instances, threaten the life of the mother and / or the fetus or newborn.

Unfortunately, early diagnosis for most of these conditions is difficult because the clinical signs and symptoms occur late, and are often non-specific and inconsistent.

For example, the clinical symptoms of IAI typically include maternal fever and leukocytosis, but these symptoms often occur later and are neither sensitive nor specific.

Measurement of cytokines or other biochemical factors is expensive, generally not clinically available, and is primarily a research tool.

Further, the testing efficiency of these tests has not been consistently better than more readily available traditional tests such as amniotic fluid Gram stain and culture, amniotic fluid glucose concentrations, and detection of amniotic fluid leukocyte esterase.

Although all have reasonable sensitivity, specificity, and predictive value none are sufficiently sensitive or specific to be utilized independently of clinical features in the diagnosis of IAI.

This is an invasive procedure associated with a 0.5% risk of loss of the pregnancy.

Further, chromosomal analysis of amniotic fluid cells is a labor-intensive and time-consuming procedure, taking up to 2 weeks.

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