ISOLATION OF FOETAL CELLS FROM MATERNAL BLOOD AND USE OF THESE FOR PRENATAL DIAGNOSIS

摘要

PCT No. PCT/AU89/00517 Sec. 371 Date Jul. 3, 1991 Sec. 102(e) Date Jul. 3, 1991 PCT Filed Nov. 29, 1989 PCT Pub. No. WO90/06509 PCT Pub. Date Jun. 14, 1990.This invention relates to a method for the isolation of trophoblast (placental) cells from the blood of a pregnant mammal so as to provide the essential starting material, namely cells derived from the fetus, to enable genetic and/or biochemical information about the fetus to be obtained. In particular, this invention relates to the use of monoclonal antibodies specific for membrane protein markers on mammalian trophoblasts to isolate trophoblast cells from maternal blood. These cells may then be used to obtain fetal genetic and/or biochemical information early in pregnancy. The present invention is particularly relevant for detecting human fetal abnormalities.