Chimerism is a rare type of genetic alteration in which the presence of two different genetic materials is observed, which can be natural, occur during pregnancy, for example, or due to a hematopoietic stem cell transplant, in which the cells of the transplanted donor the cells are absorbed by the receptor, with the coexistence of cells with different genetic profiles.
Quimerism is considered when the presence of two or more genetically distinct cell populations of different origins is checked, different from what happens in Mosaicism, in which, although cell populations are genetically distinct, they have the same origin.Learn more about mosaicism.
- Chimerism is rare in humans and can be observed more easily in animals.
- However.
- It is still possible that there is chimerism among people.
- With the main types being:.
Natural chimerism occurs when 2 or more embryos fuse to form one, so the baby is made up of 2 or more different genetic materials.
This occurs when the person receives a blood transfusion or a bone marrow transplant or hematopoietic stem cells from another person, donor cells absorbing the body, this situation was common in the past, but today, after transplants, certain treatments are tracked and performed.prevent permanent absorption of donor cells, as well as ensuring better acceptance of transplantation by the body.
This type of chimerism occurs during pregnancy, during which the woman absorbs certain cells from the fetus or fetus absorbs the cells of the mother, giving two different genetic materials.
This type of chimerism occurs when during twin pregnancy, one fetus dies and the other fetus absorbs some of its cells, so the born baby has its own genetic material and your brother’s genetic material.
Chimerism can be identified by certain characteristics that the person may manifest as areas of the body with more or less pigmentation, eyes of different colors, appearance of autoimmune diseases related to the skin or nervous system and intersex, in which there are variations in sexuality.chromosomal characteristics and patterns, making it difficult to identify the person as a man or woman.
In addition, chimerism is identified by tests that evaluate genetic material, DNA, and two or more DNA pairs can be verified in red blood cells, for example, in the case of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, this alteration can be identified by a genetic test that evaluates markers called STR, capable of differentiating receptor and donor cells.