The Most Mysterious Cells in Our Bodies Don't Belong to Us
18 days ago
- #pregnancy
- #immunology
- #microchimerism
- Microchimerism involves the transfer of cells between a mother and her fetus during pregnancy, leading to the presence of genetically distinct cells in both bodies.
- These cells can persist for decades, potentially influencing health aspects like immune response, autoimmune diseases, and pregnancy outcomes.
- Fetal cells in mothers may help in immune tolerance, reducing miscarriage risks, but could also contribute to autoimmune conditions.
- Maternal cells in children might aid immune system development and improve organ transplant acceptance from the mother.
- Microchimerism is bidirectional, with cells from both mother and fetus migrating into each other's bodies, possibly affecting multiple generations.
- Research suggests these cells could have therapeutic potential, such as improving organ transplant outcomes or treating genetic diseases in utero.
- The study of microchimerism is challenging due to the rarity and distribution of these cells, leading to ongoing debates about their exact roles and effects.