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Fetal microchimerism: the cellular and immunological legacy of pregnancy

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  12 November 2009

David M. Lissauer ,
Karen P. Piper ,
Paul A.H. Moss  and
Mark D. Kilby
David M. Lissauer
Affiliation:
Fetal Medicine Centre, Birmingham Women's Foundation Trust and School of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, College of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, UK.
Karen P. Piper
Affiliation:
CRUK Institute for Cancer Studies, College of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, UK.
Paul A.H. Moss
Affiliation:
CRUK Institute for Cancer Studies, College of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, UK.
Mark D. Kilby*
Affiliation:
Fetal Medicine Centre, Birmingham Women's Foundation Trust and School of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, College of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, UK.
*
*Corresponding author: Mark D. Kilby, Fetal Medicine Centre, Reproduction and Child Health, Birmingham Women's Hospital, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2TG, UK. Tel: +44 121 627 2778; E-mail: m.d.kilby@bham.ac.uk
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Abstract

During pregnancy there is transplacental traffic of fetal cells into the maternal circulation. Remarkably, cells of fetal origin can then persist for decades in the mother and are detectable in the circulation and in a wide range of tissues. Maternal CD8 T cell responses directed against fetal antigens can also be detected following pregnancy. However, the impact that the persistence of allogenic cells of fetal origin and the maternal immune response towards them has on the mother's health remains unclear and is the subject of considerable investigation. The potentially harmful effects of fetal microchimerism include an association with autoimmune disease and recurrent miscarriage. Beneficial effects that have been explored include the contribution of persistent fetal cells to maternal tissue repair. A link between fetal microchimerism and cancer has also been proposed, with some results supporting a protective role and others, conversely, suggesting a role in tumour development. The phenomenon of fetal microchimerism thus provokes many questions and promises to offer further insights not only into the biology of pregnancy but fields such as autoimmunity, transplantation biology and oncology.

Type
Review Article
Information
Expert Reviews in Molecular Medicine , Volume 11 , July 2009 , e33
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2009

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References

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Further reading, resources and contacts

The Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center provides background information on microchimerism and information on research being undertaken in their institution:

http://www.microchimerism.org/Google Scholar
Nelson, J.L. (2008) Your cells are my cells. Scientific American 298, 64-71Google Scholar
http://www.microchimerism.org/Google Scholar
Nelson, J.L. (2008) Your cells are my cells. Scientific American 298, 64-71Google Scholar