Resumen

QUIROS ALPIZAR, José Luis  y  ARCE JIMENEZ, Isabel Cristina. Microquimerismo natural ¿Existen humanos con varios genomas?. Med. leg. Costa Rica [online]. 2010, vol.27, n.1, pp.51-59. ISSN 2215-5287.

Human microchimerism is defined as the presence within one individual of a small population of cells originated in a genetically distinct individual. Naturally acquired microchimerism develops throughoutpregnancy, as a consequence of the clearly demonstrated bidirectional transplacental traffic of cells. This transference results in a long-term postpartum microchimeric state for both, the mother (fetal microchimerism) and her progeny (maternal microchimerism). Furthermore, the establishment of this condition occurs, iatrogenically, after organ transplantation and blood transfusions. Microchimerism is subject of current interest worldwide, given its multiple possible implications for health and disease. Initial investigation was promoted because of its potential for the development of new techniques in noninvasive prenatal diagnosis, nowadays its feasible utility for stem cell therapy is being explored. Hypotheses propose that microchimerism could be involved in the pathogenesis of some autoimmune diseases, tissue repair, cancer and tolerance induction.

Palabras clave : Microchimerism; pregnancy; placenta; naturally acquired microchimerism; maternal microchimerism; fetal microchimerism.

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