Microchimerism - novel ideas for the pathogenesis of systemic sclerosis

Persistent cellular microchimerism might play a role in the pathogenesis of systemic sclerosis (SSc). Microchimerism results from the traffic of fetal cells through the placenta during pregnancy into the maternal circulation and their survival due to HLA class II compatibility In female SSc patients the presence of fetal CD3-positive T-cells in the maternal circulation and of fetal cells in the affected skin tissue has been identified through gam ma chromosome specific DNA sequences. The persistent microchimerism might c ause SSc in certain patients by initiating a fetal anti-maternal Graft-vers ushost-like response.