The analysis of maternal microchimerism in biliary atresia using fluorescent in situ hybridization

Objective To investigate the correlation betweer biliary atresia(BA) and maternal microchimerism. MethodsUsing the chromosome enumeration probes of fluorescent in situ hybridization(FISH), the analysis of X and Y chromosomes were performed on liver paraffin sections of 12 male BA cases and 10 male controls, which involved 8 neonatal hepatitis and 2 choledochus cyst cases.Counted the maternal cells with XX chromosomes in each liver section. ResultsMaternal cells with XX chromosomes were found in liver sections of all male BA cases, while not always in male control cases. The maternal cells in per 30 views appropriate of BA group and control group were 11 ± 2. 59and 1.8 ± 1.69, respectively(P＜0. 01), demonstrating a significant statistical difference. Conclusions Maternal microchimerism could be found in the liver tissues of both BA and other infant hepatopathy cases. The quantity of maternal cells in the male BA livers is significantly higher than that in other neonatal liver diseases. Consequently, maternal microchimerism is suggested to contribute to the pathogenesis of BA. Key words: Biliary atresia;  Chimera;  In situ hybridization, fluorescent;  Graft versus host reaction