Have you heard of fetal microchimerism? In the world of science and medicine, the concept of microchimerism offers more questions than answers. However, there is much to talk about this phenomenon that involves the presence of cells of fetal origin in the mother.
What is microchimerism and how? affects mothers and children? Today we answer these and other questions related to microchimerism so that when you hear this term you know what is being talked about or you can continue the conversation.
Fetal microchimerism: an invisible connection
Among people, the most common form is fetal or fetomaternal microchimerism, a phenomenon that occurs when cells from the fetus travel through the placenta and settle in the mother's body. This transfer of fetal cells from the son to his mother occurs, above all, in the first trimester of pregnancy, although it can occur until the end of the pregnancy.
These cells, which carry the baby's genetic load, can stay with the mother for years after pregnancy. And although the mother begins to eliminate them after giving birth, many can persist for decades or even a lifetime.
These guest cells will be a minority in the mother's body. However, their presence can have a significant impact on many levels. Which is it? We talk about both the good and the not-so-good below.
Consequences
Without having much knowledge about microchimerism, it seems logical to think that the existence of guest cells in the mother's body must have certain consequences. And so in most cases. Because while fetal cells may be innocent bystanders and have no effect on maternal health, they often do! For examples we quote below:
- There is a hypothesis that these fetal cells can trigger a "graft versus host" reaction if the mother's body recognizes these cells as foreign, causing a autoimmune disease. This would offer an explanation for the reason for many autoimmune diseases and especially for the fact that they are prevalent in middle-aged women.
- But not all reactions are negative. Fetal cells are totipotent; which gives them the ability to direct the total development of an organism. They can thus help the mother deal with some illnesses and offer protection against certain pathologies. It is known, for example, that fetal cells can migrate to the heart and repair tissue damaged after cardiomyopathy. And in the same way, these cells can contribute to the mother's recovery after a cesarean section, favoring the healing process.
- Furthermore, attached to the mammary stroma, the tissue that surrounds the mammary gland, they can help in the milk production and breastfeeding.
Conclusion
There is still much to discover about microchimerism. curious phenomenon to say the least that invisibly unites mother and children, sometimes forever. A phenomenon that raises numerous questions for which there is no answer in all cases.
However, we do know that it exists, that the most common form is fetal microchimerism and that, as it is easy to suspect the existence of foreign cells, in this case, in the mother's body, it often causes important consequences. Consequences that can be negative but also positive as these fetal cells are totipotent and therefore capable of directing the total development of an organism.
Are you now clearer about what fetal microchimerism consists of? Isn't it a fascinating phenomenon that you would like to know more about? We will have to wait first for science to do it before we do it ourselves.