Fetal cell microchimerism: a protective role in XXXX .

@entity1 @entity2743 @entity2621 @entity1669 @entity6393 @entity792
OBJECTIVE: The physiological persistence of fetal cells in the circulation and tissue of a previously pregnant @entity1 is called fetal cell microchimerism (FCM). It has been hypothesized to play a role in @entity792 ; however, only limited data are available regarding its role in @entity1669 ( @entity1669 ). DESIGN: Circulating FCM was analyzed in a large series of previously pregnant @entity1 with @entity2743 ( @entity2743 ), @entity2621 ( @entity2621 ), or no disease (healthy controls (HCs)). To exclude the possible bias related to placental factors, the polymorphic pattern of human leukocyte antigen-G ( @entity6393 ) gene, which is known to be involved in the tolerance of fetal cells by the maternal immune system, was investigated. METHODS: FCM was evaluated by PCR in the peripheral blood, and the Y chromosome was identified by fluorescence in situ hybridization in some @entity2743 tissues. @entity6393 polymorphism typing was assessed by real-time PCR. RESULTS: FCM was significantly more frequent in HC (63.6%) than in @entity2743 (33.3%) or @entity2621 (27.8%) @entity1 (P=0.0004 and P=0.001 respectively). A quantitative analysis confirmed that circulating male DNA was more abundant in HC than it was in @entity2743 or @entity2621 . Microchimeric cells were documented in vessels and in thyroid follicles. In neither @entity2743 / @entity2621 @entity1 nor HC @entity1 was the @entity6393 typing different between FCM-positive and FCM-negative cases. CONCLUSION: The higher prevalence of FCM in HC as compared to @entity2743 and @entity2621 @entity1 suggests that it plays a possible protective role in @entity1669 . Placental factors have been excluded as determinants of the differences found. The vascular and tissue localization of microchimeric cells further highlights the ability of those cells to migrate to damaged tissues.
