Microchimerism and autoimmune diseases.
Microchimerism is defined by the presence within an individual of a low level of cells derived from another individual. Systemic sclerosis is clinically similar to chronic graft-versus-host disease, a known condition of chimerism, which has led some authors to explore the hypothesis that microchimerism may contribute to the pathogenesis of systemic sclerosis and other autoimmune disorders. This article reviews early studies that lend support to this hypothesis.
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Unité de Dermatologie, Hôpital Tenon, 4 Rue de la Chine, 75020, Paris, France
Aractingi
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