RESEARCH - Insights into development of the human immune system

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Insights Into Development Of The Human Immune System

MedicalNewsToday.com

Article Date: 07 Dec 2008 - 1:00 PST

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A UCSF study has found that a surprisingly high number of maternal

cells enters the fetus during pregnancy, prompting the generation of

special immune cells in the fetus that suppress a response against the

mother.

Such peaceful co-existence represents a form of " tolerance, " or the

way in which the immune system of one individual is able to live

side-by-side with foreign objects (or " antigens " ) that come from

elsewhere. The new finding may be important for areas of medical

research ranging from stem cell transplantation to the way in which

the body can adapt to the presence of chronic infectious agents.

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