Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 14, 2026
Generation of a Mouse Spontaneous Autoimmune Thyroiditis Model
Published on: March 17, 2023
Fetal cell microchimerism: a protective role in autoimmune thyroid diseases
Valentina Cirello1, Roberta Rizzo2, Milena Crippa2
1Endocrine UnitFondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda, Via F. Sforza, 35-20122 Milan, ItalyDepartment of Pathophysiology and TransplantationUniversity of Milan, Milan, ItalySection of Microbiology and Medical GeneticsDepartment of Medical Sciences, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, ItalyLaboratory of Medical Cytogenetics and Molecular GeneticsIstituto Auxologico Italiano, Milan, ItalyDepartment of Clinical Sciences and Community HealthUniversity of Milan, Milan, ItalyLaboratory of Clinical Chemistry and MicrobiologyFondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda, Milan, ItalyDivision of PathologyFondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda, Milan, ItalyDepartments of BiomedicalSurgical and Dental SciencesMedical Biotechnology and Translational MedicineUniversity of Milan, Milan, Italy Endocrine UnitFondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda, Via F. Sforza, 35-20122 Milan, ItalyDepartment of Pathophysiology and TransplantationUniversity of Milan, Milan, ItalySection of Microbiology and Medical GeneticsDepartment of Medical Sciences, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, ItalyLaboratory of Medical Cytogenetics and Molecular GeneticsIstituto Auxologico Italiano, Milan, ItalyDepartment of Clinical Sciences and Community HealthUniversity of Milan, Milan, ItalyLaboratory of Clinical Chemistry and MicrobiologyFondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda, Milan, ItalyDivision of PathologyFondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda, Milan, ItalyDepartments of BiomedicalSurgical and Dental SciencesMedical Biotechnology and Translational MedicineUniversity of Milan, Milan, Italy.
Fetal cell microchimerism (FCM) is less common in women with autoimmune thyroid disease (AITD) than in healthy individuals, suggesting a protective role. Placental factors did not explain these findings.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Endocrinology
- Genetics
Background:
- Fetal cell microchimerism (FCM), the persistence of fetal cells in mothers, is hypothesized to influence autoimmune diseases.
- Limited data exist on FCM's role in autoimmune thyroid disease (AITD).
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the prevalence and role of FCM in Graves' disease (GD) and Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT).
- To explore the potential influence of human leukocyte antigen-G (HLA-G) polymorphism on FCM in AITD.
Main Methods:
- Circulating FCM was quantified using PCR in previously pregnant women with GD, HT, and healthy controls (HCs).
- Y chromosome detection via fluorescence in situ hybridization was used in GD tissues.
- HLA-G gene polymorphism was analyzed using real-time PCR to assess its association with FCM.
Main Results:
- FCM was significantly more frequent in HCs (63.6%) compared to GD (33.3%) and HT (27.8%) patients.
- Circulating male DNA levels were higher in HCs than in GD or HT patients.
- Microchimeric cells were found in blood vessels and thyroid follicles, irrespective of HLA-G typing differences.
Conclusions:
- The higher prevalence of FCM in healthy women suggests a potential protective role against AITD.
- Placental factors were excluded as the cause of observed FCM prevalence differences.
- The presence of microchimeric cells in tissues indicates their migratory capacity to affected sites.
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