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Updated: May 20, 2026

Generation of Human Alloantigen-specific T Cells from Peripheral Blood

Generation of Human Alloantigen-specific T Cells from Peripheral Blood

Published on: November 21, 2014

Bidirectional alloreactivity: A proposed microchimerism-based solution to the NIMA paradox.

William J Burlingham¹, Gilles Benichou

¹Department of Surgery, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA. burlingham@surgery.wisc.edu

|August 2, 2012

Summary

Siblings benefit from non-inherited maternal antigens (NIMA) in transplants, but maternal transplants are not superior. Bidirectional alloreactivity may explain this NIMA paradox, suggesting microchimerism applications.

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Last Updated: May 20, 2026

Generation of Human Alloantigen-specific T Cells from Peripheral Blood

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Orthotopic Hind Limb Transplantation in the Mouse

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Published on: February 12, 2016

Area of Science:

Immunology
Transplantation Science

Background:

The NIMA paradox describes sibling benefit from non-inherited maternal antigens (NIMA) in transplants, contrasting with suboptimal results from maternal donors.
This phenomenon challenges traditional understanding of immune tolerance in transplantation.

Purpose of the Study:

To propose a solution to the NIMA paradox by exploring bidirectional alloreactivity.
To investigate the potential clinical applications of microchimerism in transplantation.

Main Methods:

Review of recent observations in kidney and cord blood transplantation.
Analysis of bidirectional alloreactivity as a potential explanation for the NIMA paradox.

Main Results:

Recent findings in kidney and cord blood transplantation suggest bidirectional alloreactivity.
This alloreactivity offers a potential resolution to the observed NIMA paradox.

Conclusions:

Bidirectional alloreactivity may explain why maternal transplants are not superior to paternal ones.
The proposed solution highlights potential clinical applications of microchimerism in solid organ and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.