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Micro-to multi-chimerism: the multiple facets of a singular phenomenon
Baruch Rinkevich1, Tamar L Goulet2
1Israel Oceanographic and Limnological Research, National Institute of Oceanography, P.O. Box 2336, Tel Shikmona, Haifa, 3102201, Israel. buki@ocean.org.il.
Seminars in Immunopathology
|February 18, 2025
Summary
Natural chimeras, found across many species, challenge the idea of genetic homogeneity. This study explores diverse somatic and germline chimeric states, their evolutionary significance, and clinical implications.
Area of Science:
- Evolutionary Biology
- Genetics
- Immunology
Background:
- Natural chimeras are widespread across diverse taxa, from protists to vertebrates.
- Chimerism challenges the notion of genetically uniform organisms and acts as an ecological/evolutionary mechanism.
- Microchimerism is one form of chimerism, a complex phenomenon with significant biological and ecological expressions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To categorize and describe the various states of somatic and germline chimerism.
- To explore the evolutionary perspectives and shared features of chimerism across species.
- To address the definition and significance of microchimerism within the broader context of chimerism.
Main Methods:
- Review and synthesis of existing literature on natural chimerism.
- Categorization of chimeric states based on proportionate contribution and spatial arrangement of chimeric partners.
- Analysis of evolutionary perspectives, including shared features, costs, and benefits of chimerism.
Main Results:
- Identification of six somatic chimerism states (purged, sectorial, mosaic, mixed, micro, multi) and three germline states (mixed, male/female, parasitic).
- Chimeric states exist on continua (somatic cell and germline), with dynamic transitions between states.
- Chimerism exhibits shared evolutionary features and costs/benefits across invertebrates and vertebrates, including humans.
Conclusions:
- Chimerism is a multifaceted phenomenon with significant evolutionary and clinical implications.
- Microchimerism is a narrowly defined aspect of a broader spectrum of chimeric states.
- Understanding chimerism provides insights into biological complexity, immune system interactions, and evolutionary strategies.
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