Prenatal diagnosis of maternal serum from mothers carrying beta-thalassemic fetus

Background: This study focuses on the discovery of protein biomarkers from the maternal serum of beta-thalassemic trait mothers carrying the normal fetus and beta-thalassemic major fetus. Methods: Serum samples from beta-thalassemic trait mothers carrying major (N = 5) and normal fetuses (N = 5) were studied. The IVS1-5 thalassemia mutation was common among beta-thalassemic trait mothers who were carrying a homozygous beta-thalassemic fetus (IVS1-5/IVS1-5 mutation) or a normal fetus (no mutation). We employed two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and mass spectrometry analysis to explore differentially expressed maternal serum proteins from thalassemia carrier couples with the same beta-thalassemia mutation. Western blotting was performed for one of the identified proteins to validate our data. Results: Ten proteins were identified in the maternal serum of beta-thalassemic trait mothers carrying the beta-thalassemic major fetus and normal fetus. Among these, serotransferrin, haptoglobin, alpha-1 anti-trypsin, apolipoprotein A1, and the fibrinogen-beta chain were found to be upregulated in mothers carrying major fetuses and are known to be associated with pregnancy-related disorders. The expression of alpha-1 anti-trypsin was validated through western blotting. Conclusions: Proteins identified in the current study from maternal serum are reported to contribute to hereditary disorders. We suggest that these can serve as putative screening markers for non-invasive prenatal diagnosis in beta-thalassemic pregnancies.