Fetal Microchimerism

The transfer of fetal cells into the maternal circulation starts at early stages of pregnancy and there can be long lasting effects. Fetal cells can be located in the maternal blood circulation and in maternal tissues during and after pregnancy, they can persist as microchimeric cells for decades in multiple organs. Whilst fetal microchimerism was initially implicated in autoimmune disease and disorders, over the years reports found fetal cells in healthy tissues and in parous women with non-autoimmune diseases. Recent research suggest instead that fetal microchimerism can play an important role in the response to tissue injury and regeneration. In this article, it's identified and discussed a timeline of key events and scientific breakthroughs