MATERNAL ANTIBODIES AS FETAL CELL MARKERS TO IDENTIFY AND ENRICH FETAL CELLS FROM MATERNAL BLOOD

摘要

The present invention provides methods for identifying and/or enriching fetalcells from maternal blood, using as fetal cell markers the antibodies that themother produces against paternally inherited fetal antigens. The fetal cell-maternal antibody complexes are identified and isolated using labelled agentsthat bind to the maternal antibodies. The present invention also providesfetal cells, isolated by use of said maternal antibodies, as a source of fetalDNA for prenatal genetic diagnosis of the fetus.