IJMEG Copyright © 2010-present. All rights reserved. Published by e-Century Publishing Corporation, Madison, WI 53711
Int J Mol Epidemiol Genet 2010;1(4):350-357.

Review Article
Microchimerism: covert genetics?

Yi Ye, Van Zyl Berendine, Charlotte Hellmich, Kathleen M Gillespie

Diabetes and Metabolism, School of Clinical Sciences, University of Bristol, UK

Received August 17, 2010; accepted September 8, 2010; available online September 11, 2010

Abstract: While the world of genetics has been dominated over the last decade by technological advances allowing the
identification of common variants underlying the major complex diseases, it is increasingly clear that other genetic
mechanisms are also involved in genetic susceptibility and resistance to disease. One understudied contender is
microchimerism (maternal and foetal), resulting from bi-directional transfer of cells across the placental barrier in pregnancy.
Data from several diseases suggest that elevated levels of microchimerism are associated with autoimmunity.  Theories differ
however on the role of these cells in the disease process. Some suggest that they increase genetic susceptibility while others
suggest that these cells are effectors of the immune response, or that they represent the target of the immune response while
another proposes that elevated levels in disease are caused by ongoing repair of damaged tissue. Intriguingly these semi
allogeneic cells are tolerated in healthy individuals, albeit at a lower level than in disease scenarios and recent studies in
cancer suggest that foetal microchimeric cells may provide surveillance and repair. Many questions remain to be answered
about this new avenue of genetics. It is likely that as technology advances our understanding of, and ability to manipulate these
cells for therapeutic gain, will push forward new frontiers in medicine.(IJMEG1008002).

Key words: Foetal microchimerism, maternal microchimerism, autoimmune diseases

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