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Microchimerism and HLA-compatible relationships of pregnancy in scleroderma
J L Nelson1, D E Furst, S Maloney
1Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington 98104-2092, USA.
Lancet (London, England)
|March 11, 1998
Summary
Microchimerism, the persistence of fetal cells in mothers, is more common in women with scleroderma. This suggests microchimerism may play a role in scleroderma pathogenesis, especially when a child is HLA-compatible with the mother.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Genetics
- Obstetrics
Background:
- Fetal cells persist in maternal circulation long after childbirth.
- Scleroderma exhibits a female predilection and increased incidence post-childbearing.
- Similarities exist between scleroderma and graft-versus-host disease.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of microchimerism in scleroderma pathogenesis.
- To determine if HLA-compatibility between mother and child is associated with scleroderma development.
Main Methods:
- Quantitative PCR used to detect Y-chromosome DNA in maternal blood.
- Study included 40 women: 16 healthy controls, 17 scleroderma patients, 7 healthy sisters.
- HLA genotyping performed on 32 controls and 21 scleroderma patients.
Main Results:
- Scleroderma patients had significantly higher concentrations of male DNA (11.1 cells/16 mL) than controls (0.38 cells/16 mL).
- Male DNA persistence was observed decades after childbirth in both groups.
- HLA-class II compatibility was more frequent in scleroderma patients but not essential for microchimerism.
Conclusions:
- Microchimerism is detectable in healthy women for decades after childbirth.
- While microchimerism could be secondary to scleroderma, findings support its potential role in pathogenesis.
- Increased HLA-class II compatibility in scleroderma patients suggests microchimerism involvement.