Fetal microchimerism and implications for maternal health

Abstract

This review paper outlines the definition, pathophysiology, and potential maternal health consequences of cellular fetal microchimerism, the maternal acquisition of intact cells of fetal origin during pregnancy. Increased rates and amounts of cellular fetal microchimerism are associated with several placental syndromes, including preeclampsia and fetal growth restriction. The discovery of cellular fetal microchimerism and methods of detection are briefly outlined, and we present the mechanisms hypothesized to govern pregnancy-related and long-term maternal health effects of cellular fetal microchimerism. Specifically, we discuss the potential implications of cellular fetal microchimerism in wound healing, autoimmunity, cancer, and possibly cardiovascular disease. Cellular fetal microchimerism represents a novel area of research on maternal and transgenerational health and disease, providing exciting opportunities for developing new disease biomarkers and precision medicine with targeted prophylaxis against long-term maternal disease.

Acute Atherosis Lesions at the Fetal-Maternal Border: Current Knowledge and Implications for Maternal Cardiovascular Health

“…Cellular fetal microchimerism (cFMC) arises when cells of fetal origin are transferred to maternal blood and tissues during pregnancy ( 185 ). These cells are known to possess stem cell-like properties, capable of differentiating into endothelial cells, smooth muscle cells and even leukocytes ( 186 , 187 ).…”

“…In fact, fetal cells have been observed in maternal circulation up to 27 years postpartum, indicating that these cells may inhabit maternal systems throughout life ( 189 ). Restorative as well as detrimental effects have been attributed to cFMC, possibly tied to fetal-maternal histocompatibility ( 185 ). Of particular interest in the context of this review is the apparent detrimental effect of cFMC on autoimmunity ( 190 , 191 ).…”

“…In comparison to healthy pregnancies, circulating fetal microchimeric cells are more prevalent in pregnancies complicated by preeclampsia ( 193 , 194 ) or severe fetal growth restriction combined with impaired placental perfusion ( 195 ). If this is due to increased cell transfer, reduced clearance or reduced migration from maternal blood into maternal tissues is unclear ( 185 , 196 ). We hypothesize that when the placenta is dysfunctional, fetal cells leak more freely across into maternal blood and subsequently other tissues.…”

The Immunology of Syncytialized Trophoblast

“…The latter phenomenon is known as fetal microchimerism [ 14 ], Presumably these shed trophoblast-derived cells and other material will interact with local tissue resident immune cells. Fetal microchimerism has been associated with several autoimmune disorders [ 15 ], with wound healing [ 16 ], and with transgenerational health [ 17 ], but will not be reviewed further here. In this review, we will concentrate on immune interactions with syncytialized trophoblast and focus largely on the interactions between: (1) maternal peripheral immune cells (peripheral blood mononuclear cells or PBMCs,) and vSTB ( Figure 1 , panels 6 and 7) and (2) between decidual immune cells and primitive STB ( Figure 1 , panel 1) and trophoblast giant cells (TGCs Figure 1 , panel 3).…”

Beyond the Sex Binary: Toward the Inclusive Anatomical Sciences Education

“…This mosaic of features becomes more complex when secondary sexual characteristics are also considered. Indeed, as more evidence emerges about sex expression in humans including the newly discovered and related phenomena such as microchimerism (Haig, 2019; Fjeldstad et al, 2020), the picture becomes more intricate. In the words of Fausto‐Sterling (2000), “a body is simply too complex.…”