Microchimerism - Swapping DNA in the Womb

[Orphia Nay]

"A new study finds male genes in women’s brains, the first evidence of microchimerism in the human brain."

http://the-scientist.com/2012/09/27/swapping-dna-in-the-womb/

DNA from male cells, most likely from a fetus or sibling, are often found in the brains of women, according to a study released yesterday (September 26) in PLOS ONE. The findings are the first demonstration of microchimerism—in which cells that originated in one individual integrate into the tissues of another—in the human brain, and could have implications for disease.

“Knowing cells are in the brain brings home the idea that we’re a little more diverse than we thought we were,” said Nelson. “So conceptually, it may be more appropriate to think of ourselves as an ecosystem rather than a single genetic template.”

To quantify microchimerism in the brain, Nelson and colleagues selectively looked for a gene found on the Y chromosome in brain sections from 59 female cadavers. It’s not the case that this can only happen with male fetuses or siblings, Nelson explained, it’s just technically easier to identify DNA from males in female subjects. In total, the researchers found that 37 women harbored such foreign genes in their brains. They also found evidence of cells in the brain, suggesting that microchimeric cells can and do cross the blood-brain barrier.

Intriguing, but I haven't seen (or got the skills to analyse) the complete study.

I suspect we'll see woos saying this proves the mystical "bond" between mothers and children, and between twins.

 

[Kaylee]

Double post.

 

[Kaylee]

I just read the article. This brings a whole 'nother level of meaning to the phrase "hand-me downs."

This sentence particularly caught my eye:

Other studies have found that fetuses can also acquire microchimeric cells from a twin or even from an older sibling, as some fetal cells linger in the uterus.

I'm the youngest in my birth family, BTW.

 

[Orphia Nay]

Hahaha, Kaylee!

 

[Kaylee]

Seriously, it does creep me out a little bit.