Microchimerism of maternal origin persists into adult life

摘要: Recent studies indicate that fetal cells persist in maternal blood for decades after pregnancy. Maternal are known to engraft and infants with immunodeficiency, but whether long-term immunocompetent offspring has not specifically been investigated. We developed sensitive human leukocyte antigen-specific (HLA-specific) PCR assays targeted nonshared HLA genes test persistent microchimerism subjects scleroderma healthy normal subjects. Nonshared maternal-specific DNA was found 6 of 9 patients. In situ hybridization double labeling X Y chromosome-specific sequences revealed female peripheral samples from 2 male HLA-specific also frequently control The mean age all 28 years (range: 9-49 years). With few exceptions, mothers were incompatible class I II alleles. These results clearly HLA-disparate can well into adult life. biological significance it might contribute autoimmune disease requires further investigation.