Advances in cfDNA research for pregnancy-related diseases

Circulating cell-free DNA (cfDNA) comprises extracellular DNA fragments released into bodily fluids through cellular processes such as apoptosis, necrosis, and active secretion. Alterations in cfDNA concentration, fragmentation patterns, and molecular characteristics under physiological and patholog...

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Main Authors: Yimei Meng, Yu Yan, Xiaoshan Yue, Yan Li, Yanxiang Mo
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-08-01
Series:Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fcell.2025.1600532/full
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author Yimei Meng
Yimei Meng
Yu Yan
Xiaoshan Yue
Yan Li
Yanxiang Mo
author_facet Yimei Meng
Yimei Meng
Yu Yan
Xiaoshan Yue
Yan Li
Yanxiang Mo
author_sort Yimei Meng
collection DOAJ
description Circulating cell-free DNA (cfDNA) comprises extracellular DNA fragments released into bodily fluids through cellular processes such as apoptosis, necrosis, and active secretion. Alterations in cfDNA concentration, fragmentation patterns, and molecular characteristics under physiological and pathological conditions, including pregnancy-related disorders, have established its value as a minimally invasive biomarker for early disease detection and clinical monitoring. Due to the availability of non- or minimally-invasive and scalable detection platforms with high sensitivity and specificity, cfDNA has emerged as a powerful tool in maternal-fetal medicine. This review provides a comprehensive overview of recent advances in cfDNA research, with an emphasis on its applications in pregnancy-related disorders. We elucidate the underlying biological mechanisms, current diagnostic and prognostic uses, analytical technologies, and the key challenges and future directions for clinical translation.
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spelling doaj-art-be46d82aa6b6406f95143e34b3bb1fe32025-08-20T03:43:48ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology2296-634X2025-08-011310.3389/fcell.2025.16005321600532Advances in cfDNA research for pregnancy-related diseasesYimei Meng0Yimei Meng1Yu Yan2Xiaoshan Yue3Yan Li4Yanxiang Mo5Department of Obstetrics, Obstetrics and Gynecology Center, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, ChinaDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, ChinaDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, ChinaDepartment of Gynecological Oncology, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, ChinaDepartment of Obstetrics, Obstetrics and Gynecology Center, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, ChinaDepartment of Obstetrics, Obstetrics and Gynecology Center, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, ChinaCirculating cell-free DNA (cfDNA) comprises extracellular DNA fragments released into bodily fluids through cellular processes such as apoptosis, necrosis, and active secretion. Alterations in cfDNA concentration, fragmentation patterns, and molecular characteristics under physiological and pathological conditions, including pregnancy-related disorders, have established its value as a minimally invasive biomarker for early disease detection and clinical monitoring. Due to the availability of non- or minimally-invasive and scalable detection platforms with high sensitivity and specificity, cfDNA has emerged as a powerful tool in maternal-fetal medicine. This review provides a comprehensive overview of recent advances in cfDNA research, with an emphasis on its applications in pregnancy-related disorders. We elucidate the underlying biological mechanisms, current diagnostic and prognostic uses, analytical technologies, and the key challenges and future directions for clinical translation.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fcell.2025.1600532/fullcell-free DNA (cfDNA)pregnancy-related disordersnon-invasive biomarkerspreeclampsiagestational diabetes mellitus
spellingShingle Yimei Meng
Yimei Meng
Yu Yan
Xiaoshan Yue
Yan Li
Yanxiang Mo
Advances in cfDNA research for pregnancy-related diseases
Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology
cell-free DNA (cfDNA)
pregnancy-related disorders
non-invasive biomarkers
preeclampsia
gestational diabetes mellitus
title Advances in cfDNA research for pregnancy-related diseases
title_full Advances in cfDNA research for pregnancy-related diseases
title_fullStr Advances in cfDNA research for pregnancy-related diseases
title_full_unstemmed Advances in cfDNA research for pregnancy-related diseases
title_short Advances in cfDNA research for pregnancy-related diseases
title_sort advances in cfdna research for pregnancy related diseases
topic cell-free DNA (cfDNA)
pregnancy-related disorders
non-invasive biomarkers
preeclampsia
gestational diabetes mellitus
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fcell.2025.1600532/full
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AT yanxiangmo advancesincfdnaresearchforpregnancyrelateddiseases