1
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Patchett AL, Flies AS, Lyons AB, Woods GM. Curse of the devil: molecular insights into the emergence of transmissible cancers in the Tasmanian devil (Sarcophilus harrisii). Cell Mol Life Sci 2020; 77:2507-2525. [PMID: 31900624 PMCID: PMC11104928 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-019-03435-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2019] [Revised: 12/17/2019] [Accepted: 12/19/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
The Tasmanian devil (Sarcophilus harrisii) is the only mammalian species known to be affected by multiple transmissible cancers. Devil facial tumours 1 and 2 (DFT1 and DFT2) are independent neoplastic cell lineages that produce large, disfiguring cancers known as devil facial tumour disease (DFTD). The long-term persistence of wild Tasmanian devils is threatened due to the ability of DFTD cells to propagate as contagious allografts and the high mortality rate of DFTD. Recent studies have demonstrated that both DFT1 and DFT2 cancers originated from founder cells of the Schwann cell lineage, an uncommon origin of malignant cancer in humans. This unprecedented finding has revealed a potential predisposition of Tasmanian devils to transmissible cancers of the Schwann cell lineage. In this review, we compare the molecular nature of human Schwann cells and nerve sheath tumours with DFT1 and DFT2 to gain insights into the emergence of transmissible cancers in the Tasmanian devil. We discuss a potential mechanism, whereby Schwann cell plasticity and frequent wounding in Tasmanian devils combine with an inherent cancer predisposition and low genetic diversity to give rise to transmissible Schwann cell cancers in devils on rare occasions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda L Patchett
- Menzies Institute for Medical Research, University of Tasmania, 17 Liverpool Street, Hobart, TAS, 7000, Australia
| | - Andrew S Flies
- Menzies Institute for Medical Research, University of Tasmania, 17 Liverpool Street, Hobart, TAS, 7000, Australia
| | - A Bruce Lyons
- School of Medicine, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS, 7000, Australia
| | - Gregory M Woods
- Menzies Institute for Medical Research, University of Tasmania, 17 Liverpool Street, Hobart, TAS, 7000, Australia.
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2
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Patchett AL, Coorens THH, Darby J, Wilson R, McKay MJ, Kamath KS, Rubin A, Wakefield M, Mcintosh L, Mangiola S, Pye RJ, Flies AS, Corcoran LM, Lyons AB, Woods GM, Murchison EP, Papenfuss AT, Tovar C. Two of a kind: transmissible Schwann cell cancers in the endangered Tasmanian devil (Sarcophilus harrisii). Cell Mol Life Sci 2020; 77:1847-1858. [PMID: 31375869 PMCID: PMC11104932 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-019-03259-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2019] [Revised: 07/25/2019] [Accepted: 07/26/2019] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Devil facial tumour disease (DFTD) comprises two genetically distinct transmissible cancers (DFT1 and DFT2) endangering the survival of the Tasmanian devil (Sarcophilus harrisii) in the wild. DFT1 first arose from a cell of the Schwann cell lineage; however, the tissue-of-origin of the recently discovered DFT2 cancer is unknown. In this study, we compared the transcriptome and proteome of DFT2 tumours to DFT1 and normal Tasmanian devil tissues to determine the tissue-of-origin of the DFT2 cancer. Our findings demonstrate that DFT2 expresses a range of Schwann cell markers and exhibits expression patterns consistent with a similar origin to the DFT1 cancer. Furthermore, DFT2 cells express genes associated with the repair response to peripheral nerve damage. These findings suggest that devils may be predisposed to transmissible cancers of Schwann cell origin. The combined effect of factors such as frequent nerve damage from biting, Schwann cell plasticity and low genetic diversity may allow these cancers to develop on rare occasions. The emergence of two independent transmissible cancers from the same tissue in the Tasmanian devil presents an unprecedented opportunity to gain insight into cancer development, evolution and immune evasion in mammalian species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda L Patchett
- Menzies Institute for Medical Research, University of Tasmania, 17 Liverpool Street, Hobart, TAS, 7000, Australia.
| | - Tim H H Coorens
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB3 0ES, UK
| | - Jocelyn Darby
- Menzies Institute for Medical Research, University of Tasmania, 17 Liverpool Street, Hobart, TAS, 7000, Australia
| | - Richard Wilson
- Central Science Laboratory, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS, 7001, Australia
| | - Matthew J McKay
- Australian Proteome Analysis Facility, Department of Molecular Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, 2109, Australia
| | - Karthik S Kamath
- Australian Proteome Analysis Facility, Department of Molecular Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, 2109, Australia
| | - Alan Rubin
- Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Melbourne, VIC, 3000, Australia
- Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, 3000, Australia
| | - Matthew Wakefield
- Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Melbourne, VIC, 3000, Australia
- Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, 3000, Australia
| | - Lachlan Mcintosh
- Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Melbourne, VIC, 3000, Australia
- Department of Mathematics and Statistics, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, 3000, Australia
| | - Stefano Mangiola
- Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Melbourne, VIC, 3000, Australia
- Department of Surgery, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, 3000, Australia
| | - Ruth J Pye
- Menzies Institute for Medical Research, University of Tasmania, 17 Liverpool Street, Hobart, TAS, 7000, Australia
| | - Andrew S Flies
- Menzies Institute for Medical Research, University of Tasmania, 17 Liverpool Street, Hobart, TAS, 7000, Australia
| | - Lynn M Corcoran
- Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Melbourne, VIC, 3000, Australia
- Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, 3000, Australia
| | - A Bruce Lyons
- School of Medicine, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS, 7000, Australia
| | - Gregory M Woods
- Menzies Institute for Medical Research, University of Tasmania, 17 Liverpool Street, Hobart, TAS, 7000, Australia
| | | | - Anthony T Papenfuss
- Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Melbourne, VIC, 3000, Australia
- Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, 3000, Australia
- Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, VIC, 3000, Australia
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, 3000, Australia
| | - Cesar Tovar
- Menzies Institute for Medical Research, University of Tasmania, 17 Liverpool Street, Hobart, TAS, 7000, Australia
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3
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Cruz P, Sosoniuk-Roche E, Maldonado I, Torres CG, Ferreira A. Trypanosoma cruzi calreticulin: In vitro modulation of key immunogenic markers of both canine tumors and relevant immune competent cells. Immunobiology 2019; 225:151892. [PMID: 31837774 DOI: 10.1016/j.imbio.2019.12.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2019] [Revised: 12/01/2019] [Accepted: 12/01/2019] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Recombinant calreticulin from Trypanosoma cruzi (rTcCalr), the parasite responsible for Chagas' disease, binds to Canine Transmissible Venereal Tumor (CTVT) cells from primary cultures and to a canine mammary carcinoma cell line. A Complement-binding assay indicated that interaction of the first component C1q with these tumor cells operated independently of the rTcCalr-presence. This apparent independence could be explained by the important structural similarities that exist among rTcCarl, endogenous normal canine and/or mutated calreticulins present in several types of cancer. In phagocytosis assays, tumor cells treated with rTcCalr were readily engulfed by macrophages and, co-cultured with DCs, accelerated their maturation. In addition, DCs maturation, induced by tumor cells co-cultured with rTcCalr, activated T cells more efficiently than DCs, treated or not with LPS. In an apparent paradox, a decrease in MHC Class I expression was observed when these tumor cells were co-cultivated with rTcCalr. This decrease may be related to a down regulation signaling promoting the rescue of MHC I. Possibly, these in vitro assays may be valid correlates of in vivo sceneries. Based on these results, we propose that rTcCalr improves in vitro the immunogenicity of two widely different tumor cell lines, thus suggesting that the interesting properties of rTcCalr to boost immune responses warrant future studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Cruz
- Laboratory of Immunology of Microbial Aggression, Program of Immunology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Chile, Santiago, 8380453, Chile; Laboratory of Biomedicine and Regenerative Medicine, Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Chile, Santiago, 8820808, Chile
| | - E Sosoniuk-Roche
- Laboratory of Immunology of Microbial Aggression, Program of Immunology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Chile, Santiago, 8380453, Chile
| | - I Maldonado
- Laboratory of Immunology of Microbial Aggression, Program of Immunology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Chile, Santiago, 8380453, Chile
| | - C G Torres
- Laboratory of Biomedicine and Regenerative Medicine, Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Chile, Santiago, 8820808, Chile.
| | - A Ferreira
- Laboratory of Immunology of Microbial Aggression, Program of Immunology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Chile, Santiago, 8380453, Chile.
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4
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Woods GM, Fox S, Flies AS, Tovar CD, Jones M, Hamede R, Pemberton D, Lyons AB, Bettiol SS. Two Decades of the Impact of Tasmanian Devil Facial Tumor Disease. Integr Comp Biol 2019; 58:1043-1054. [PMID: 30252058 DOI: 10.1093/icb/icy118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The Tasmanian devil, a marsupial carnivore, has been restricted to the island state of Tasmania since its extinction on the Australian mainland about 3000 years ago. In the past two decades, this species has experienced severe population decline due to the emergence of devil facial tumor disease (DFTD), a transmissible cancer. During these 20 years, scientists have puzzled over the immunological and evolutionary responses by the Tasmanian devil to this transmissible cancer. Targeted strategies in population management and disease control have been developed as well as comparative processes to identify variation in tumor and host genetics. A multi-disciplinary approach with multi-institutional teams has produced considerable advances over the last decade. This has led to a greater understanding of the molecular pathogenesis and genomic classification of this cancer. New and promising developments in the Tasmanian devil's story include evidence that most immunized, and some wild devils, can produce an immune response to DFTD. Furthermore, epidemiology combined with genomic studies suggest a rapid evolution to the disease and that DFTD will become an endemic disease. Since 1998 there have been more than 350 publications, distributed over 37 Web of Science categories. A unique endemic island species has become an international curiosity that is in the spotlight of integrative and comparative biology research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gregory M Woods
- Menzies Institute for Medical Research, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania 7005, Australia
| | - Samantha Fox
- Save the Tasmanian Devil Program, DPIPWE, GPO Box 44, Hobart, Tasmania 7001, Australia.,Toledo Zoo, 2605 Broadway, Toledo, OH 43609, USA
| | - Andrew S Flies
- Menzies Institute for Medical Research, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania 7005, Australia
| | - Cesar D Tovar
- Menzies Institute for Medical Research, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania 7005, Australia.,School of Medicine, College of Health and Medicine, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania 7005, Australia
| | - Menna Jones
- School of Natural Sciences, University of Tasmania, Private Bag 55, Hobart, Tasmania 7001, Australia
| | - Rodrigo Hamede
- School of Natural Sciences, University of Tasmania, Private Bag 55, Hobart, Tasmania 7001, Australia
| | - David Pemberton
- Save the Tasmanian Devil Program, DPIPWE, GPO Box 44, Hobart, Tasmania 7001, Australia
| | - A Bruce Lyons
- School of Medicine, College of Health and Medicine, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania 7005, Australia
| | - Silvana S Bettiol
- School of Medicine, College of Health and Medicine, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania 7005, Australia
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5
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Cheng Y, Makara M, Peel E, Fox S, Papenfuss AT, Belov K. Tasmanian devils with contagious cancer exhibit a constricted T-cell repertoire diversity. Commun Biol 2019; 2:99. [PMID: 30886908 PMCID: PMC6416256 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-019-0342-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2018] [Accepted: 02/07/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The Tasmanian devil (Sarcophilus harrisii) is threatened by a contagious cancer, known as Devil Facial Tumour Disease (DFTD). A highly diverse T-cell receptor (TCR) repertoire is crucial for successful host defence against cancers. By investigating TCR beta chain diversity in devils of different ages, we show that the T-cell repertoire in devils constricts in their second year of life, which may explain the higher DFTD prevalence in older devils. Unexpectedly, we also observed a pronounced decline in TCR diversity and T cell clonal expansion in devils after DFTD infection. These findings overturned the previous assumption that DFTD did not directly impact host immunity. Yuanyuan Cheng et al. showed that the T-cell repertoire diversity of Tasmanian devils diminishes during their second year of life which may explain the prevalence of devil facial tumor disease in older devils. Infection with this disease also impacts T-cell diversity highlighting a previously unknown effect of the devil facial tumor disease on host immunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuanyuan Cheng
- UQ Genomics Initiative, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD, 4072, Australia
| | - Mariano Makara
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2006, Australia
| | - Emma Peel
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2006, Australia
| | - Samantha Fox
- Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment, 134 Macquarie Street, Hobart, Tasmania, 7000, Australia
| | - Anthony T Papenfuss
- Bioinformatics Division, The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia.,Computational Cancer Biology Program, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, VIC, 3000, Australia.,Department of Medical Biology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, 3010, Australia.,Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, 3010, Australia
| | - Katherine Belov
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2006, Australia.
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6
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Lessons learnt from the Tasmanian devil facial tumour regarding immune function in cancer. Mamm Genome 2018; 29:731-738. [PMID: 30225648 DOI: 10.1007/s00335-018-9782-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2018] [Accepted: 09/04/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Genetic and genomic technologies have facilitated a greater understanding of the Tasmanian devil immune system and the origins, evolution and spread of devil facial tumour disease (DFTD). DFTD is a contagious cancer that has caused significant declines in devil populations across Tasmania. Immune responses to DFTD are rarely detected, allowing the cancer to pass between individuals and proliferate unimpeded. Early immunosenscence in devils appears to decrease anti-tumour immunity in older animals compared to younger animals, which may increase susceptibility to DFTD and explain high DFTD prevalence in this age group. Devils also have extremely low major histocompatibility complex (MHC) diversity, and multiple alleles are shared with the tumour, lowering histocompatibility barriers which may have contributed to DFTD evolution. DFTD actively evades immune attack by down-regulating cell-surface MHC I molecules, making it effectively invisible to the immune system. Altered MHC I profiles should activate natural killer (NK) cell anti-tumour responses, but these are absent in DFTD infection. Recent immunisation and immunotherapy using modified DFTD cells has induced an anti-DFTD immune response and regression of DFTD in some devils. Knowledge gained from immune responses to a transmissible cancer in devils will ultimately reveal useful insights into immunity to cancer in humans and other species.
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7
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Cheng Y, Heasman K, Peck S, Peel E, Gooley RM, Papenfuss AT, Hogg CJ, Belov K. Significant decline in anticancer immune capacity during puberty in the Tasmanian devil. Sci Rep 2017; 7:44716. [PMID: 28300197 PMCID: PMC5353603 DOI: 10.1038/srep44716] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2016] [Accepted: 02/13/2017] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Tasmanian devils (Sarcophilus harrisii) are at risk of extinction in the wild due to Devil Facial Tumour Disease (DFTD), a rare contagious cancer. The prevalence of DFTD differs by age class: higher disease prevalence is seen in adults (2–3 years) versus younger devils (<2 years). Here we propose that immunological changes during puberty may play a role in susceptibility to DFTD. We show that the second year of life is a key developmental period for Tasmanian devils, during which they undergo puberty and pronounced changes in the immune system. Puberty coincides with a significant decrease in lymphocyte abundance resulting in a much higher neutrophil:lymphocyte ratio in adults than subadults. Quantitative PCR analysis of gene expression of transcription factors T-bet and GATA-3 and cytokines interferon gamma (IFN-γ) and interleukin 4 (IL-4) revealed a drastic increase in GATA-3 and IL-4 expression during puberty. These changes led to a significantly lower IFN-γ:IL-4 ratio in 2-year-olds than <1 year olds (on average 1.3-fold difference in males and 4.0-fold in females), which reflects a major shift of the immune system towards Th2 responses. These results all indicate that adult devils are expected to have a lower anticancer immune capacity than subadults, which may explain the observed pattern of disease prevalence of DFTD in the wild.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuanyuan Cheng
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, The University of Sydney, New South Wales, 2006, Australia
| | - Kim Heasman
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, The University of Sydney, New South Wales, 2006, Australia
| | - Sarah Peck
- Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment, 134 Macquarie Street, Hobart, Tasmania, 7000, Australia
| | - Emma Peel
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, The University of Sydney, New South Wales, 2006, Australia
| | - Rebecca M Gooley
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, The University of Sydney, New South Wales, 2006, Australia
| | - Anthony T Papenfuss
- Bioinformatics Division, The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Victoria, 3052, Australia.,Computational Cancer Biology Program, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Victoria, 3000, Australia.,Department of Medical Biology, University of Melbourne, Victoria, 3010, Australia.,Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, University of Melbourne, Victoria, 3010, Australia
| | - Carolyn J Hogg
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, The University of Sydney, New South Wales, 2006, Australia
| | - Katherine Belov
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, The University of Sydney, New South Wales, 2006, Australia
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8
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Abstract
Contagious cancers are malignant cells that are physically transferred between individuals as a natural allograft, forming new clonal tumours. These cancers are highly unusual, but have emerged in 2 mammalian species, the dog and the Tasmanian devil, as well as 4 species of bivalve. The transfer of malignant cells in mammals should initiate a robust immune response and although invertebrates have a less complex immune system, these species still have mechanisms that should prevent engraftment and protect against cellular parasitism. Here the naturally occurring contagious cancers are reviewed to determine what features are important and necessary for the emergence and spread of these types of cancer, with a focus on the mammalian contagious cancers and how they successfully cross histocompatibility barriers.
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Affiliation(s)
- H V Siddle
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
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9
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Borthwick CR, Young LJ, McAllan BM, Old JM. Identification of the mRNA encoding interleukin-6 and its receptor, interleukin-6 receptor α, in five marsupial species. DEVELOPMENTAL AND COMPARATIVE IMMUNOLOGY 2016; 65:211-217. [PMID: 27431929 DOI: 10.1016/j.dci.2016.07.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2016] [Revised: 07/15/2016] [Accepted: 07/15/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Expressed coding sequences for interleukin-6 (IL-6) and interleukin-6 receptor α (IL-6R) were examined in five marsupial species. Full length expressed coding sequences for IL-6 and IL-6R were identified and characterized in the gray short-tailed opossum (Monodelphis domestica). For IL-6, ∼225 bp fragments of the mRNA sequence were identified in the red-tailed phascogale (Phascogale calura), kultarr (Antechinomys laniger), and stripe-faced dunnart (Sminthopsis macroura), while ∼563 bp fragments of mRNA encoding IL-6R were identified in the red-tailed phascogale, kultarr, stripe-face dunnart and fat-tailed dunnart (Sminthopsis crassicaudata). Relative expression levels of IL-6 and IL-6R were examined in the heart, muscle, lung, liver, spleen and kidney of adult red-tailed phascogales, and IL-6 gene expression was found to be significantly higher in the lung and spleen than the other tissues examined, while the expression of IL-6R was significantly higher in the liver, lung and spleen. These results now serve as a reference point for examining the role and levels of IL-6 and IL-6R in the health and disease of these marsupial species. The pro-tumorigenic nature of IL-6 is of particular interest, and the identification of these IL-6 and IL-6R coding sequences provides a platform for further work to evaluate the potential role of IL-6 in marsupial cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Casey R Borthwick
- School of Science and Health, Western Sydney University, Hawkesbury Campus, Locked Bag 1797, Penrith, NSW 2751, Australia
| | - Lauren J Young
- School of Science and Health, Western Sydney University, Hawkesbury Campus, Locked Bag 1797, Penrith, NSW 2751, Australia
| | - Bronwyn M McAllan
- School of Medical Sciences and Bosch Institute, Medical Foundation Building, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Julie M Old
- School of Science and Health, Western Sydney University, Hawkesbury Campus, Locked Bag 1797, Penrith, NSW 2751, Australia.
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10
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Peck S, Corkrey R, Hamede R, Jones M, Canfield P. Hematologic and serum biochemical changes associated with Devil Facial Tumor Disease in Tasmanian Devils. Vet Clin Pathol 2016; 45:417-29. [PMID: 27589840 DOI: 10.1111/vcp.12391] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Devil Facial Tumor Disease (DFTD) is an infectious tumor causing significant population declines in wild Tasmanian Devils. While clinical assessment and pathology have been well reported for DFTD, there is a lack of information on hematologic and biochemical alterations associated with DFTD. OBJECTIVES The purpose of the study was to determine hematologic and serum biochemical variation in healthy, wounded, and DFTD-affected Tasmanian Devils. METHODS Blood samples were collected from wild Tasmanian Devils at 5 sites in Tasmania. Hematology and clinical biochemistry variables were compared between clinically healthy, wounded, and DFTD-affected devils. Differences were also analyzed among stages of DFTD, including individuals pre- and postclinical signs developing, and between ulcerated and nonulcerated DFTD tumors. RESULTS Statistically significantly increased counts in WBC, neutrophils, and platelets, and concentration of fibrinogen, as well as decreased counts in lymphocytes, erythrocytes, and HGB concentration were observed in DFTD-affected devils compared to healthy devils. Activities of ALP, ALT, and GLDH, concentrations of sodium, potassium and albumin, and sodium-to-potassium ratio and albumin-to-globulin ratio were significantly lower, and AST activity was significantly higher in animals with DFTD when compared to clinically healthy animals. No significant differences were found among stages of DFTD or ulcerated and nonulcerated tumors. CONCLUSIONS The differences in hematology and clinical chemistry variables in devils with DFTD compared to healthy devils are nonspecific and reflective of acute phase response and inflammation, and anemia of chronic disease. Similar changes are observed with wounds but to a lesser extent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Peck
- Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia. .,Wildlife Management Branch, Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment, Hobart, Tas., Australia.
| | - Ross Corkrey
- Tasmanian Institute of Agriculture, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tas., Australia
| | - Rodrigo Hamede
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tas., Australia
| | - Menna Jones
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tas., Australia
| | - Paul Canfield
- Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
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11
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Abstract
Devil facial tumor disease (DFTD) is an emergent transmissible cancer exclusive to Tasmanian devils (Sarcophilus harrisii) and threatening the species with extinction in the wild. Research on DFTD began 10 years ago, when nothing was known about the tumor and little about the devils. The depth of knowledge gained since then is impressive, with research having addressed significant aspects of the disease and the devils' responses to it. These include the cause and pathogenesis of DFTD, the immune response of the devils and the immune evasion mechanisms of the tumor, the transmission patterns of DFTD, and the impacts of DFTD on the ecosystem. This review aims to collate this information and put it into the context of conservation strategies designed to mitigate the impacts of DFTD on the devil and the Tasmanian ecosystem.
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Affiliation(s)
- R J Pye
- Menzies Institute for Medical Research, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
| | - G M Woods
- Menzies Institute for Medical Research, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
| | - A Kreiss
- Menzies Institute for Medical Research, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
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12
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Casey SC, Amedei A, Aquilano K, Azmi AS, Benencia F, Bhakta D, Bilsland AE, Boosani CS, Chen S, Ciriolo MR, Crawford S, Fujii H, Georgakilas AG, Guha G, Halicka D, Helferich WG, Heneberg P, Honoki K, Keith WN, Kerkar SP, Mohammed SI, Niccolai E, Nowsheen S, Vasantha Rupasinghe HP, Samadi A, Singh N, Talib WH, Venkateswaran V, Whelan RL, Yang X, Felsher DW. Cancer prevention and therapy through the modulation of the tumor microenvironment. Semin Cancer Biol 2015; 35 Suppl:S199-S223. [PMID: 25865775 PMCID: PMC4930000 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2015.02.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 237] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2014] [Revised: 02/26/2015] [Accepted: 02/27/2015] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Cancer arises in the context of an in vivo tumor microenvironment. This microenvironment is both a cause and consequence of tumorigenesis. Tumor and host cells co-evolve dynamically through indirect and direct cellular interactions, eliciting multiscale effects on many biological programs, including cellular proliferation, growth, and metabolism, as well as angiogenesis and hypoxia and innate and adaptive immunity. Here we highlight specific biological processes that could be exploited as targets for the prevention and therapy of cancer. Specifically, we describe how inhibition of targets such as cholesterol synthesis and metabolites, reactive oxygen species and hypoxia, macrophage activation and conversion, indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase regulation of dendritic cells, vascular endothelial growth factor regulation of angiogenesis, fibrosis inhibition, endoglin, and Janus kinase signaling emerge as examples of important potential nexuses in the regulation of tumorigenesis and the tumor microenvironment that can be targeted. We have also identified therapeutic agents as approaches, in particular natural products such as berberine, resveratrol, onionin A, epigallocatechin gallate, genistein, curcumin, naringenin, desoxyrhapontigenin, piperine, and zerumbone, that may warrant further investigation to target the tumor microenvironment for the treatment and/or prevention of cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie C Casey
- Division of Oncology, Departments of Medicine and Pathology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, United States
| | - Amedeo Amedei
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Katia Aquilano
- Department of Biology, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Rome, Italy
| | - Asfar S Azmi
- Department of Oncology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, United States
| | - Fabian Benencia
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Ohio University, Athens, OH, United States
| | - Dipita Bhakta
- School of Chemical and Biotechnology, SASTRA University, Thanjavur 613401, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Alan E Bilsland
- Institute of Cancer Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Chandra S Boosani
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, Creighton University, Omaha, NE, United States
| | - Sophie Chen
- Ovarian and Prostate Cancer Research Laboratory, Guildford, Surrey, United Kingdom
| | | | - Sarah Crawford
- Department of Biology, Southern Connecticut State University, New Haven, CT, United States
| | - Hiromasa Fujii
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Nara Medical University, Kashihara, Japan
| | - Alexandros G Georgakilas
- Physics Department, School of Applied Mathematics and Physical Sciences, National Technical University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Gunjan Guha
- School of Chemical and Biotechnology, SASTRA University, Thanjavur 613401, Tamil Nadu, India
| | | | - William G Helferich
- University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Champaign-Urbana, IL, United States
| | - Petr Heneberg
- Charles University in Prague, Third Faculty of Medicine, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Kanya Honoki
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Nara Medical University, Kashihara, Japan
| | - W Nicol Keith
- Institute of Cancer Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Sid P Kerkar
- Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Sulma I Mohammed
- Department of Comparative Pathobiology, Purdue University Center for Cancer Research, West Lafayette, IN, United States
| | | | - Somaira Nowsheen
- Medical Scientist Training Program, Mayo Graduate School, Mayo Medical School, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, United States
| | - H P Vasantha Rupasinghe
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture, Dalhousie University, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | | | - Neetu Singh
- Advanced Molecular Science Research Centre (Centre for Advanced Research), King George's Medical University, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Wamidh H Talib
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Therapeutics, Applied Science University, Amman, Jordan
| | | | - Richard L Whelan
- Mount Sinai Roosevelt Hospital, Icahn Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York City, NY, United States
| | - Xujuan Yang
- University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Champaign-Urbana, IL, United States
| | - Dean W Felsher
- Division of Oncology, Departments of Medicine and Pathology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, United States.
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13
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Morris KM, Cheng Y, Warren W, Papenfuss AT, Belov K. Identification and analysis of divergent immune gene families within the Tasmanian devil genome. BMC Genomics 2015; 16:1017. [PMID: 26611146 PMCID: PMC4662006 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-015-2206-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2015] [Accepted: 11/12/2015] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The Tasmanian devil (Sarcophilus harrisii) is being threatened with extinction in the wild by a disease known as devil facial tumour disease (DFTD). In order to prevent the spread of this disease a thorough understanding of the Tasmanian devil immune system and its response to the disease is required. In 2011 and 2012 two genome sequencing projects of the Tasmania devil were released. This has provided us with the raw data required to begin to investigate the Tasmanian devil immunome in depth. In this study we characterise immune gene families of the Tasmanian devil. We focus on immunoglobulins, T cell receptors and cytokine families. Results We identify and describe 119 cytokines including 40 interleukins, 39 chemokines, 8 interferons, 18 tumour necrosis family cytokines and 14 additional cytokines. Constant regions for immunoglobulins and T cell receptors were also identified. The repertoire of genes in these families was similar to the opossum, however devil specific duplications were seen and orthologs to eutherian genes not previously identified in any marsupial were also identified. Conclusions By using multiple data sources as well as targeted search methods, highly divergent genes across the Tasmanian devil immune system were identified and characterised. This understanding will allow for the development of devil specific assays and reagents and allow for future studies into the immune response of the Tasmanian devil immune system to DFTD. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12864-015-2206-9) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katrina M Morris
- Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW, Australia.
| | - Yuanyuan Cheng
- Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW, Australia.
| | - Wesley Warren
- Washington University School of Medicine, 4444 Forest Park Ave, St Louis, MO, 63108, USA.
| | - Anthony T Papenfuss
- Bioinformatics Division, The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute for Medical Research, Parkville, VIC, Australia. .,Bioinformatics and Cancer Genomics, Research Division, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, East Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
| | - Katherine Belov
- Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW, Australia.
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14
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Morris KM, Mathew M, Waugh C, Ujvari B, Timms P, Polkinghorne A, Belov K. Identification, characterisation and expression analysis of natural killer receptor genes in Chlamydia pecorum infected koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus). BMC Genomics 2015; 16:796. [PMID: 26471184 PMCID: PMC4608214 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-015-2035-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2015] [Accepted: 10/08/2015] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus), an iconic Australian marsupial, are being heavily impacted by the spread of Chlamydia pecorum, an obligate intracellular bacterial pathogen. Koalas vary in their response to this pathogen, with some showing no symptoms, while others suffer severe symptoms leading to infertility, blindness or death. Little is known about the pathology of this disease and the immune response against it in this host. Studies have demonstrated that natural killer (NK) cells, key components of the innate immune system, are involved in the immune response to chlamydial infections in humans. These cells can directly lyse cells infected by intracellular pathogens and their ability to recognise these infected cells is mediated through NK receptors on their surface. These are encoded in two regions of the genome, the leukocyte receptor complex (LRC) and the natural killer complex (NKC). These two families evolve rapidly and different repertoires of genes, which have evolved by gene duplication, are seen in different species. METHODS In this study we aimed to characterise genes belonging to the NK receptor clusters in the koala by searching available koala transcriptomes using a combination of search methods. We developed a qPCR assay to quantify relative expression of four genes, two encoded within the NK receptor cluster (CLEC1B, CLEC4E) and two known to play a role in NK response to Chalmydia in humans (NCR3, PRF1). RESULTS We found that the NK receptor repertoire of the koala closely resembles that of the Tasmanian devil, with minimal genes in the NKC, but with lineage specific expansions in the LRC. Additional genes important for NK cell activity, NCR3 and PRF1, were also identified and characterised. In a preliminary study to investigate whether these genes are involved in the koala immune response to infection by its chlamydial pathogen, C. pecorum, we investigated the expression of four genes in koalas with active chlamydia infection, those with past infection and those without infection using qPCR. This analysis revealed that one of these four, CLEC4E, may be upregulated in response to chlamydia infection. CONCLUSION We have characterised genes of the NKC and LRC in koalas and have discovered evidence that one of these genes may be upregulated in koalas with chlamydia, suggesting that these receptors may play a role in the immune response of koalas to chlamydia infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katrina M Morris
- Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW, Australia.
| | - Marina Mathew
- Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, Kelvin Grove, Brisbane, QLD, Australia.
| | - Courtney Waugh
- Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, Kelvin Grove, Brisbane, QLD, Australia. .,Faculty of Science, Health, Education and Engineering, University of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs, QLD, Australia.
| | - Beata Ujvari
- Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW, Australia. .,Centre for Integrative Ecology, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Deakin University, Waurn Ponds, Geelong, VIC, Australia.
| | - Peter Timms
- Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, Kelvin Grove, Brisbane, QLD, Australia. .,Faculty of Science, Health, Education and Engineering, University of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs, QLD, Australia.
| | - Adam Polkinghorne
- Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, Kelvin Grove, Brisbane, QLD, Australia. .,Faculty of Science, Health, Education and Engineering, University of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs, QLD, Australia.
| | - Katherine Belov
- Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW, Australia.
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15
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Woods GM, Howson LJ, Brown GK, Tovar C, Kreiss A, Corcoran LM, Lyons AB. Immunology of a Transmissible Cancer Spreading among Tasmanian Devils. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2015; 195:23-9. [PMID: 26092814 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1500131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Devil facial tumor disease (DFTD) is a transmissible cancer that has killed most of the Tasmanian devil (Sarcophilus harrissii) population. Since the first case appeared in the mid-1990s, it has spread relentlessly across the Tasmanian devil's geographic range. As Tasmanian devils only exist in Tasmania, Australia, DFTD has the potential to cause extinction of this species. The origin of DFTD was a Schwann cell from a female devil. The disease is transmitted when devils bite each other around the facial areas, a behavior synonymous with this species. Every devil that is 'infected' with DFTD dies from the cancer. Once the DFTD cells have been transmitted, they appear to develop into a cancer without inducing an immune response. The DFTD cancer cells avoid allogeneic recognition because they do not express MHC class I molecules on the cell surface. A reduced genetic diversity and the production of immunosuppressive cytokines may also contribute.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gregory M Woods
- Menzies Institute for Medical Research, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania 7000, Australia; School of Medicine, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania 7001, Australia; and
| | - Lauren J Howson
- Menzies Institute for Medical Research, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania 7000, Australia
| | - Gabriella K Brown
- Menzies Institute for Medical Research, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania 7000, Australia
| | - Cesar Tovar
- Menzies Institute for Medical Research, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania 7000, Australia
| | - Alexandre Kreiss
- Menzies Institute for Medical Research, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania 7000, Australia
| | - Lynn M Corcoran
- Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
| | - A Bruce Lyons
- School of Medicine, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania 7001, Australia; and
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16
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Siddle HV, Kaufman J. Immunology of naturally transmissible tumours. Immunology 2015; 144:11-20. [PMID: 25187312 PMCID: PMC4264906 DOI: 10.1111/imm.12377] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2014] [Accepted: 08/26/2014] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Naturally transmissible tumours can emerge when a tumour cell gains the ability to pass as an infectious allograft between individuals. The ability of these tumours to colonize a new host and to cross histocompatibility barriers contradicts our understanding of the vertebrate immune response to allografts. Two naturally occurring contagious cancers are currently active in the animal kingdom, canine transmissible venereal tumour (CTVT), which spreads among dogs, and devil facial tumour disease (DFTD), among Tasmanian devils. CTVT are generally not fatal as a tumour-specific host immune response controls or clears the tumours after transmission and a period of growth. In contrast, the growth of DFTD tumours is not controlled by the Tasmanian devil's immune system and the disease causes close to 100% mortality, severely impacting the devil population. To avoid the immune response of the host both DFTD and CTVT use a variety of immune escape strategies that have similarities to many single organism tumours, including MHC loss and the expression of immunosuppressive cytokines. However, both tumours appear to have a complex interaction with the immune system of their respective host, which has evolved over the relatively long life of these tumours. The Tasmanian devil is struggling to survive with the burden of this disease and it is only with an understanding of how DFTD passes between individuals that a vaccine might be developed. Further, an understanding of how these tumours achieve natural transmissibility should provide insights into general mechanisms of immune escape that emerge during tumour evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah V Siddle
- Centre for Biological Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
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17
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Bender HS, Marshall Graves JA, Deakin JE. Pathogenesis and molecular biology of a transmissible tumor in the Tasmanian devil. Annu Rev Anim Biosci 2013; 2:165-87. [PMID: 25384139 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-animal-022513-114204] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
The emergence of a fatal transmissible cancer known as devil facial tumor disease (DFTD) is threatening the iconic Tasmanian devil with extinction in the wild within the next few decades. Since the first report of the disease in 1996, DFTD has spread to over 85% of the devils' distribution and dramatically reduced devil numbers. Research into DFTD has focused on gaining a deeper understanding of the disease on multiple levels, including an accurate assessment of the tissue origin of the tumor, elucidation of how the tumor evades immune detection, and determination of how the tumor is transmitted between individuals and how it is evolving as it spreads through the population. Knowledge gained from these studies has important implications for DFTD management and devil conservation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah S Bender
- Research School of Biology, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 0200, Australia
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