Circulating fetal and total cell-free DNA, and sHLA-G in black South African women with gestational hypertension and pre-eclampsia.

OBJECTIVE: Quantification of circulating fetal and total cell-free DNA (cfDNA) and soluble human leucocyte antigen (HLAG) in gestational hypertension and pre-eclampsia.

METHODS: Serum cfDNA were quantified in controls, pre-eclamptics, and gestational hypertensive patients using real-time qPCR. Soluble HLAG was measured by enzyme-linked immune-sorbent assay.

RESULTS: Serum fetal and total cfDNA levels were higher in pre-eclampsia compared with the controls and gestational hypertensives (p < 0.001), more so in severe compared with mild-to-moderate pre-eclampsia (p < 0.05). Soluble HLAG levels were lower in pre-eclamptics than controls and gestational hypertension (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION: Circulating fetal and total cfDNA were increased, while soluble HLAG was decreased in pre-eclampsia.