Physiological and Pathological Effects of Fetal and Maternal Microchimerism

Abstract

Microchimerism (Mc) is a bidirectional exchange of fetal and maternal cells during pregnancy. Pregnancy is the most common and natural cause of chimerism. Therefore, we are all born as microchimera. Although there are many unanswered questions it is thought that chimerism has an important role in human health. For many years, the clinical effects of microchimeric cells (McCs) in organ repair and cancer therapy have just begun to be understood. While the mission of chimerism is straight forward, the subject is profound. Chimerism carries the potential for disease as well as for health benefits. This article describes the role of Mc in the etiology of psychotic disorders. In this review, we consider Mc to be a physiological phenomenon, but it can also transform into pathology under inappropriate conditions. We describe in detail below the possible physio-pathological roles of F-MMcCs.