Scientists discover we have our DC's cells in our brains & bodies

[aufaniae]

This is amazing :)

Scientists Discover Children's Cells Living in Mothers' Brains

The cells pass through the placenta from fetus to mother, some have been identified in women's brains in autopsy, as part of study about Alzheimers. It found that if you have lots of these "microchimeric cells" your chance of Alzheimers is lessened, as quite possibly your chance of developing cancer. If you don't have so many, you have a higher chance of MS however.

Our own cells also pass from mother to child, through the placenta and also later while BFing, and have been found in several places in their bodies. Twins share cells, and while in the womb, foetuses DCs can even get cells from older siblings (which have resided in the mother since pregnancy, then crossed back through the placenta).

Amazing stuff

Link to the study

This bit from the article is mind-blowing IMO :)

"Fetal microchimeric cells are similar to stem cells in that they are able to become a variety of different tissues and may aid in tissue repair. One research group investigating this possibility followed the activity of fetal microchimeric cells in a mother rat after the maternal heart was injured: they discovered that the fetal cells migrated to the maternal heart and differentiated into heart cells helping to repair the damage. In animal studies, microchimeric cells were found in maternal brains where they became nerve cells, suggesting they might be functionally integrated in the brain. It is possible that the same may true of such cells in the human brain."

Wow, fantastic stuff. Thanks for linking. Fascinating.

Amazing! The advancement of science is incredible. Thanks for sharing! :)

That is truly fascinating. The advancement of science, wow. Still remember sitting in a rather intimidating NCT class (13 years ago, eek!) and tentatively mentioning stem cell research much to everybody's amusement. Should have listened to the science then. And this, another amazing discovery.

That is truly fascinating. The advancement of science, wow. Still remember sitting in a rather intimidating NCT class (13 years ago, eek!) and tentatively mentioning stem cell research much to everybody's amusement. Should have listened to the science then. And this, another amazing discovery.

Bump for the morning crowd :)

Science is BRILLIANT.

Wow. So I very probably have some of ds's cells in my body, and he has mine in his? Blimey.

That's amazing .

Wow!

edam yes, and if you have older siblings you could have their cells too.

I linked to a similar article a few months back, in the context of having miscarried this is very comforting stuff.

Amazing! Thanks for linking.

Oh, I thought this was already knowledge! I've thought this for years. Anecdotally, I know several mothers (white) who've had mixed race children and found they tan quicker and easier and burn less than before having the children, and put it down to taking on some of the child's dna during pregnancy.

This is totally tongue in cheek: but I have noticed I have far more Apsergers tendencies since having DS.

That certainly would explain the primal feeling of connection that mothers often feel with their babies.

Soooo .... If we, as mothers, take on some of our DCs' cells, that means that we have some of our partners' DNA inside our bodies ????

Wow.

Which is great, unless you really hate your ex....

(sorry, I know I'm not taking this seriously enough)

LondonBus, yes, I thought the same. Quite an unsettling thought actually.

Still, the science is absolutely amazing :)

interesting

Lond

Londonbus, me too...