Role of Fetal Stem Cells in Maternal Tissue Regeneration

Gene Regulation and Systems Biology, 2007 · DOI: · Published: January 1, 2007

Immunology Regenerative Medicine & Stem Cells

Simple Explanation

Microchimerism, the presence of cells from another individual at low levels, occurs naturally during pregnancy with bidirectional cell transfer between fetus and mother, resembling a long-lasting fetal stem cell transplantation. A murine model was used to study the role of microchimerism in tissue regeneration, showing that skin injuries in pregnant mice increased the presence of GFP-expressing fetal cells. Fetal stem cells respond to maternal injury signals and may contribute to maternal tissue regeneration during pregnancy, suggesting their potential in regenerative medicine.

Study Duration

Not specified

Participants

Wild type C57BL/6J female mice carrying GFP transgenic progenies

Evidence Level

Level 3; Animal Model Study

Key Findings

1
Skin injuries during pregnancy increased microchimerism of GFP expressing cells from the GFP transgenic progenies.
2
GFP positive cells appeared at the site of spinal cord injury during pregnancy.
3
The amount of fetal cells in maternal mice significantly increased if injuries occurred during pregnancy.

Research Summary

This study investigates the role of fetal cells in maternal body injuries, demonstrating that injury dramatically increases the amount of fetal cells in the maternal body. Injury promotes fetal cell migration toward injury sites and proliferation at those sites, suggesting that integrated GFP positive patches are formed by proliferated and differentiated fetal cells. The study suggests the potential use of fetal stem cells for regenerative medicine, though further investigation is needed to identify the cell type of the differentiated fetal cells.

Practical Implications

Regenerative Medicine Potential

Fetal stem cells could potentially be used in regenerative medicine therapies.

Understanding Microchimerism

Further research into fetal-maternal microchimerism is crucial for understanding its role in tissue repair and regeneration.

Injury Response

Maternal injury signals appear to trigger fetal stem cell response, offering insights into tissue repair mechanisms.

Study Limitations

1
Minimal spinal cord injury was introduced to prevent miscarriage, which may have affected the extent of eGFP cell detection.
2
The study was conducted with congenic mice, which do not have the issue of histocompatibility.
3
The cell type of the differentiated fetal cells needs to be further investigated.

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