“…Our results also raise broader questions regarding the function of MFCT in human disease. In addition to BA, 11,13 increased maternal microchimerism has been identified in numerous pediatric diseases including type I diabetes, 17,18 neonatal lupus-syndrome congenital heart block, 19 myopathies, 20 dermatomyositis, 21,22 Hirschsprung disease 23 and pityriasis lichenoides. 24 It is not known whether maternal cells contribute to disease or proliferate in response to tissue injury in any of these diseases.…”