 | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  |
| IJCEM Copyright © 2008-All rights reserved. Published by e-Century Publishing Corporation, Madison, WI 53711 |
Int J Clin Exp Med 2010;3(2):164-168
Short Communications
The role of fetal microchimerism in autoimmune disease
Ralph P. Miechen
Dept. of Molecular Pharmacology, Physiology & Biotechnology, Warren Albert Medical School, Brown university, Providence, RI 02912,
USA.
Received April 28, 2010, accepted June 7, 2010, available online June 12, 2010
Abstract: Fetal microchimerism occurs in normal human reproduction and is a relatively new discovery in biology. Recent data in the
scientific and medical literature indicates that some of the autoimmune diseases that show a predilection for women in their
child-bearing years and beyond are linked to fetal microchimerism from previous pregnancies. The pathological role of fetal
microchimeric progenitor immature T cells in autoimmune disease in women is explored. Fetal microchimerism is increased in
women who had a termination of pregnancy and may be associated with the development of autoimmune disease later on in life.
Furthermore, the consistently rising incidence of autoimmune diseases in women over the past four decades may be attributed to the
increase in the utilization of abortion. (IJCEM1004004).
Key words: Microchimerism, Autoimmune Disease, Abortion, Pathophysiologyt
Full Text PDF
Address all correspondence to:
Ralph P. Miech, MD, PhD
Department of Molecular Pharmacology, Physiology & Biotechnology
Warren Albert Medical School
Brown university
174 Meeting Street
Providence, RI 02912
Tel: 401-863-3115
Fax: 401-863-1595
E-Mail: Ralph_Miech@brown.edu
Short Communications
The role of fetal microchimerism in autoimmune disease
Ralph P. Miechen
Dept. of Molecular Pharmacology, Physiology & Biotechnology, Warren Albert Medical School, Brown university, Providence, RI 02912,
USA.
Received April 28, 2010, accepted June 7, 2010, available online June 12, 2010
Abstract: Fetal microchimerism occurs in normal human reproduction and is a relatively new discovery in biology. Recent data in the
scientific and medical literature indicates that some of the autoimmune diseases that show a predilection for women in their
child-bearing years and beyond are linked to fetal microchimerism from previous pregnancies. The pathological role of fetal
microchimeric progenitor immature T cells in autoimmune disease in women is explored. Fetal microchimerism is increased in
women who had a termination of pregnancy and may be associated with the development of autoimmune disease later on in life.
Furthermore, the consistently rising incidence of autoimmune diseases in women over the past four decades may be attributed to the
increase in the utilization of abortion. (IJCEM1004004).
Key words: Microchimerism, Autoimmune Disease, Abortion, Pathophysiologyt
Full Text PDF
Address all correspondence to:
Ralph P. Miech, MD, PhD
Department of Molecular Pharmacology, Physiology & Biotechnology
Warren Albert Medical School
Brown university
174 Meeting Street
Providence, RI 02912
Tel: 401-863-3115
Fax: 401-863-1595
E-Mail: Ralph_Miech@brown.edu
