1
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Ikonomopoulou MP, Lopez-Mancheño Y, Novelle MG, Martinez-Uña M, Gangoda L, Pal M, Costa-Machado LF, Fernandez-Marcos PJ, Ramm GA, Fernandez-Rojo MA. LXR stimulates a metabolic switch and reveals cholesterol homeostasis as a statin target in Tasmanian devil facial tumor disease. Cell Rep 2021; 34:108851. [PMID: 33730574 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2021.108851] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2019] [Revised: 11/02/2020] [Accepted: 02/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Devil facial tumor disease (DFTD) and its lack of available therapies are propelling the Tasmanian devil population toward extinction. This study demonstrates that cholesterol homeostasis and carbohydrate energy metabolism sustain the proliferation of DFTD cells in a cell-type-dependent manner. In addition, we show that the liver-X nuclear receptor-β (LXRβ), a major cholesterol cellular sensor, and its natural ligand 24S-hydroxycholesterol promote the proliferation of DFTD cells via a metabolic switch toward aerobic glycolysis. As a proof of concept of the role of cholesterol homeostasis on DFTD proliferation, we show that atorvastatin, an FDA-approved statin-drug subtype used against human cardiovascular diseases that inhibits cholesterol synthesis, shuts down DFTD energy metabolism and prevents tumor growth in an in vivo DFTD-xenograft model. In conclusion, we show that intervention against cholesterol homeostasis and carbohydrate-dependent energy metabolism by atorvastatin constitutes a feasible biochemical treatment against DFTD, which may assist in the conservation of the Tasmanian devil.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria P Ikonomopoulou
- QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD, Australia; The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia; Translational Venomics Laboratory, Madrid Institute for Advanced Studies (IMDEA) Food, Madrid 28049, Spain.
| | - Yaiza Lopez-Mancheño
- Hepatic Regenerative Medicine Laboratory, Madrid Institute for Advanced Studies (IMDEA) Food, Madrid 28049, Spain
| | - Marta G Novelle
- Hepatic Regenerative Medicine Laboratory, Madrid Institute for Advanced Studies (IMDEA) Food, Madrid 28049, Spain
| | - Maite Martinez-Uña
- Hepatic Regenerative Medicine Laboratory, Madrid Institute for Advanced Studies (IMDEA) Food, Madrid 28049, Spain
| | - Lahiru Gangoda
- Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, 1G Royal Parade, Parkville, Melbourne, VIC 3052, Australia; Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Melbourne, VIC 3052, Australia
| | - Martin Pal
- Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, 1G Royal Parade, Parkville, Melbourne, VIC 3052, Australia; Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Melbourne, VIC 3052, Australia
| | - Luis Filipe Costa-Machado
- Metabolic Syndrome Laboratory, Madrid Institute for Advanced Studies (IMDEA) Food, Madrid 28049, Spain
| | | | - Grant A Ramm
- QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD, Australia; The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Manuel Alejandro Fernandez-Rojo
- QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD, Australia; The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia; Hepatic Regenerative Medicine Laboratory, Madrid Institute for Advanced Studies (IMDEA) Food, Madrid 28049, Spain.
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2
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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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3
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Woods GM, Lyons AB, Bettiol SS. A Devil of a Transmissible Cancer. Trop Med Infect Dis 2020; 5:tropicalmed5020050. [PMID: 32244613 PMCID: PMC7345153 DOI: 10.3390/tropicalmed5020050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2019] [Revised: 03/26/2020] [Accepted: 03/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Devil facial tumor disease (DFTD) encompasses two independent transmissible cancers that have killed the majority of Tasmanian devils. The cancer cells are derived from Schwann cells and are spread between devils during biting, a common behavior during the mating season. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) defines a parasite as "An organism that lives on or in a host organism and gets its food from, or at, the expense of its host." Most cancers, including DFTD, live within a host organism and derive resources from its host, and consequently have parasitic-like features. Devil facial tumor disease is a transmissible cancer and, therefore, DFTD shares one additional feature common to most parasites. Through direct contact between devils, DFTD has spread throughout the devil population. However, unlike many parasites, the DFTD cancer cells have a simple lifecycle and do not have either independent, vector-borne, or quiescent phases. To facilitate a description of devil facial tumor disease, this review uses life cycles of parasites as an analogy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gregory M. Woods
- Menzies Institute for Medical Research, College of Health and Medicine, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS 7000, Australia
- Correspondence:
| | - A. Bruce Lyons
- Tasmanian School of Medicine, College of Health and Medicine, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS 7000, Australia; (A.B.L.); (S.S.B.)
| | - Silvana S. Bettiol
- Tasmanian School of Medicine, College of Health and Medicine, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS 7000, Australia; (A.B.L.); (S.S.B.)
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4
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Flies AS, Flies EJ, Fox S, Gilbert A, Johnson SR, Liu GS, Lyons AB, Patchett AL, Pemberton D, Pye RJ. An oral bait vaccination approach for the Tasmanian devil facial tumor diseases. Expert Rev Vaccines 2020; 19:1-10. [PMID: 31971036 DOI: 10.1080/14760584.2020.1711058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Introduction: The Tasmanian devil (Sarcophilus harrisii) is the largest extant carnivorous marsupial. Since 1996, its population has declined by 77% primarily due to a clonal transmissible tumor, known as devil facial tumor (DFT1) disease. In 2014, a second transmissible devil facial tumor (DFT2) was discovered. DFT1 and DFT2 are nearly 100% fatal.Areas covered: We review DFT control approaches and propose a rabies-style oral bait vaccine (OBV) platform for DFTs. This approach has an extensive safety record and was a primary tool in large-scale rabies virus elimination from wild carnivores across diverse landscapes. Like rabies virus, DFTs are transmitted by oral contact, so immunizing the oral cavity and stimulating resident memory cells could be advantageous. Additionally, exposing infected devils that already have tumors to OBVs could serve as an oncolytic virus immunotherapy. The primary challenges may be identifying appropriate DFT-specific antigens and optimization of field delivery methods.Expert opinion: DFT2 is currently found on a peninsula in southern Tasmania, so an OBV that could eliminate DFT2 should be the priority for this vaccine approach. Translation of an OBV approach to control DFTs will be challenging, but the approach is feasible for combatting ongoing and future disease threats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew S Flies
- Menzies Institute for Medical Research, College of Health and Medicine, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Australia
| | - Emily J Flies
- School of Natural Sciences, College of Sciences and Engineering, University of Tasmania, Sandy Bay, Australia
| | - Samantha Fox
- Save the Tasmanian Devil Program, DPIPWE, Hobart, Australia.,Toledo Zoo, Toledo, OH, USA
| | - Amy Gilbert
- National Wildlife Research Center, USDA, APHIS, Wildlife Services, Fort Collins, CO, USA
| | - Shylo R Johnson
- National Wildlife Research Center, USDA, APHIS, Wildlife Services, Fort Collins, CO, USA
| | - Guei-Sheung Liu
- Menzies Institute for Medical Research, College of Health and Medicine, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Australia.,Ophthalmology, Department of Surgery, University of Melbourne, East Melbourne, Australia
| | - A Bruce Lyons
- School of Medicine, College of Health and Medicine, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Australia
| | - Amanda L Patchett
- Menzies Institute for Medical Research, College of Health and Medicine, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Australia
| | | | - Ruth J Pye
- Menzies Institute for Medical Research, College of Health and Medicine, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Australia
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5
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Abstract
The Tasmanian devil is the only mammalian species to harbour two independent lineages of contagious cancer. Devil facial tumour 1 (DFT1) emerged in the 1990s and has caused significant population declines. Devil facial tumour 2 (DFT2) was identified in 2014, and evidence indicates that this new tumour has emerged independently of DFT1. While DFT1 is widespread across Tasmania, DFT2 is currently found only on the Channel Peninsula in south east Tasmania. Allograft transmission of cancer cells should be prevented by major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules. DFT1 avoids immune detection by downregulating MHC class I expression, which can be reversed by treatment with interferon-gamma (IFNγ), while DFT2 currently circulates in hosts with a similar MHC class I genotype to the tumour. Wild Tasmanian devil numbers have not recovered from the emergence of DFT1, and it is feared that widespread transmission of DFT2 will be devastating to the remaining wild population. A preventative solution for the management of the disease is needed. Here, we review the current research on immune responses to devil facial tumours and vaccine strategies against DFT1 and outline our plans moving forward to develop a specific, effective vaccine to support the wild Tasmanian devil population against the threat of these two transmissible tumours.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel S Owen
- School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Environmental and Life Sciences, University of Southampton , Southampton , UK
| | - Hannah V Siddle
- School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Environmental and Life Sciences, University of Southampton , Southampton , UK.,Institute for Life Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton , Southampton , UK
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6
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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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7
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Hohenlohe PA, McCallum HI, Jones ME, Lawrance MF, Hamede RK, Storfer A. Conserving adaptive potential: lessons from Tasmanian devils and their transmissible cancer. CONSERV GENET 2019; 20:81-87. [PMID: 31551664 PMCID: PMC6759055 DOI: 10.1007/s10592-019-01157-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2018] [Accepted: 02/09/2019] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Maintenance of adaptive genetic variation has long been a goal of management of natural populations, but only recently have genomic tools allowed identification of specific loci associated with fitness-related traits in species of conservation concern. This raises the possibility of managing for genetic variation directly relevant to specific threats, such as those due to climate change or emerging infectious disease. Tasmanian devils (Sarcophilus harrisii) face the threat of a transmissible cancer, devil facial tumor disease (DFTD), that has decimated wild populations and led to intensive management efforts. Recent discoveries from genomic and modeling studies reveal how natural devil populations are responding to DFTD, and can inform management of both captive and wild devil populations. Notably, recent studies have documented genetic variation for disease-related traits and rapid evolution in response to DFTD, as well as potential mechanisms for disease resistance such as immune response and tumor regression in wild devils. Recent models predict dynamic persistence of devils with or without DFTD under a variety of modeling scenarios, although at much lower population densities than before DFTD emerged, contrary to previous predictions of extinction. As a result, current management that focuses on captive breeding and release for maintaining genome-wide genetic diversity or demographic supplementation of populations could have negative consequences. Translocations of captive devils into wild populations evolving with DFTD can cause outbreeding depression and/or increases in the force of infection and thereby the severity of the epidemic, and we argue that these risks outweigh any benefits of demographic supplementation in wild populations. We also argue that genetic variation at loci associated with DFTD should be monitored in both captive and wild populations, and that as our understanding of DFTD-related genetic variation improves, considering genetic management approaches to target this variation is warranted in developing conservation strategies for Tasmanian devils.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul A. Hohenlohe
- Institute for Bioinformatics and Evolutionary Studies, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID 83843, USA
| | - Hamish I. McCallum
- Environmental Futures Research Institute, Griffith University, Brisbane, QLD 4111, Australia
| | - Menna E. Jones
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS 7001, Australia
| | - Matthew F. Lawrance
- School of Biological Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164, USA
| | - Rodrigo K. Hamede
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS 7001, Australia
| | - Andrew Storfer
- School of Biological Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164, USA
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8
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Kosack L, Wingelhofer B, Popa A, Orlova A, Agerer B, Vilagos B, Majek P, Parapatics K, Lercher A, Ringler A, Klughammer J, Smyth M, Khamina K, Baazim H, de Araujo ED, Rosa DA, Park J, Tin G, Ahmar S, Gunning PT, Bock C, Siddle HV, Woods GM, Kubicek S, Murchison EP, Bennett KL, Moriggl R, Bergthaler A. The ERBB-STAT3 Axis Drives Tasmanian Devil Facial Tumor Disease. Cancer Cell 2019; 35:125-139.e9. [PMID: 30645971 PMCID: PMC6335503 DOI: 10.1016/j.ccell.2018.11.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2018] [Revised: 10/05/2018] [Accepted: 11/29/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The marsupial Tasmanian devil (Sarcophilus harrisii) faces extinction due to transmissible devil facial tumor disease (DFTD). To unveil the molecular underpinnings of this transmissible cancer, we combined pharmacological screens with an integrated systems-biology characterization. Sensitivity to inhibitors of ERBB tyrosine kinases correlated with their overexpression. Proteomic and DNA methylation analyses revealed tumor-specific signatures linked to the evolutionary conserved oncogenic STAT3. ERBB inhibition blocked phosphorylation of STAT3 and arrested cancer cells. Pharmacological blockade of ERBB or STAT3 prevented tumor growth in xenograft models and restored MHC class I expression. This link between the hyperactive ERBB-STAT3 axis and major histocompatibility complex class I-mediated tumor immunosurveillance provides mechanistic insights into horizontal transmissibility and puts forward a dual chemo-immunotherapeutic strategy to save Tasmanian devils from DFTD. VIDEO ABSTRACT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lindsay Kosack
- CeMM Research Center for Molecular Medicine of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Bettina Wingelhofer
- Institute of Animal Breeding and Genetics, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, 1210 Vienna, Austria
| | - Alexandra Popa
- CeMM Research Center for Molecular Medicine of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Anna Orlova
- Institute of Animal Breeding and Genetics, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, 1210 Vienna, Austria; Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Cancer Research, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Benedikt Agerer
- CeMM Research Center for Molecular Medicine of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Bojan Vilagos
- CeMM Research Center for Molecular Medicine of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Peter Majek
- CeMM Research Center for Molecular Medicine of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Katja Parapatics
- CeMM Research Center for Molecular Medicine of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Alexander Lercher
- CeMM Research Center for Molecular Medicine of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Anna Ringler
- CeMM Research Center for Molecular Medicine of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Johanna Klughammer
- CeMM Research Center for Molecular Medicine of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Mark Smyth
- CeMM Research Center for Molecular Medicine of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Kseniya Khamina
- CeMM Research Center for Molecular Medicine of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Hatoon Baazim
- CeMM Research Center for Molecular Medicine of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | | | - David A Rosa
- University of Toronto, Mississauga, ON L5L 1C6, Canada
| | - Jisung Park
- University of Toronto, Mississauga, ON L5L 1C6, Canada
| | - Gary Tin
- University of Toronto, Mississauga, ON L5L 1C6, Canada
| | - Siawash Ahmar
- University of Toronto, Mississauga, ON L5L 1C6, Canada
| | | | - Christoph Bock
- CeMM Research Center for Molecular Medicine of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, 1090 Vienna, Austria; Department of Laboratory Medicine, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria; Max Planck Institute for Informatics, Saarland Informatics Campus, 66123 Saarbrücken, Germany
| | - Hannah V Siddle
- Department of Biological Science, University of Southampton, Southampton SO17 1BJ, UK
| | - Gregory M Woods
- Menzies Institute for Medical Research, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS 7000, Australia
| | - Stefan Kubicek
- CeMM Research Center for Molecular Medicine of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Elizabeth P Murchison
- Transmissible Cancer Group, Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB3 0ES, UK
| | - Keiryn L Bennett
- CeMM Research Center for Molecular Medicine of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Richard Moriggl
- Institute of Animal Breeding and Genetics, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, 1210 Vienna, Austria; Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Cancer Research, 1090 Vienna, Austria; Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Andreas Bergthaler
- CeMM Research Center for Molecular Medicine of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, 1090 Vienna, Austria.
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9
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Young LJ, Gurr J, Morris K, Flenady S, Belov K. Molecular characterisation of Interleukin-2 in two Australian marsupials (the tammar wallaby, Notamacropus eugenii, and the Tasmanian devil, Sarcophilus harrisii) facilitates the development of marsupial-specific immunological reagents. AUSTRALIAN MAMMALOGY 2019. [DOI: 10.1071/am17027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Interleukin-2 (IL-2) is an important regulator of cellular immunity in mammals. For many years, our inability to identify the expression of this cytokine in marsupials hindered our capacity to progress studies in metatherian immunology. Here, we report the use of molecular techniques to characterise the IL-2 gene for the tammar wallaby (Notamacropus eugenii) and the Tasmanian devil (Sarcophilus harrisii), which allowed the prediction of the structure and probable functions of the IL-2 proteins of these species. Deduced marsupial IL-2 proteins show considerable sequence identity to each other and to common brushtail possum (Trichosurus vulpecula) IL-2 (≥65%) but shared only 35% (tammar wallaby) and 32% (Tasmanian devil) identity with human IL-2. This difference means that reagents used to study IL-2 in human and other eutherians are unlikely to cross-react with marsupials. As a key step in furthering our ability to study cellular immune responses in marsupials and, more specifically, the susceptibility of macropodoid marsupials to intracellular pathogens, a polyclonal antibody was designed for the detection and future investigation of tammar wallaby IL-2 protein expression. The molecular data and polyclonal antibody described herein will support our development of gene probes and immunological reagents that will aid studies of infection and disease in marsupials.
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10
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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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11
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Fernandez-Rojo MA, Deplazes E, Pineda SS, Brust A, Marth T, Wilhelm P, Martel N, Ramm GA, Mancera RL, Alewood PF, Woods GM, Belov K, Miles JJ, King GF, Ikonomopoulou MP. Gomesin peptides prevent proliferation and lead to the cell death of devil facial tumour disease cells. Cell Death Discov 2018. [PMID: 29531816 PMCID: PMC5841354 DOI: 10.1038/s41420-018-0030-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The Tasmanian devil faces extinction due to devil facial tumour disease (DFTD), a highly transmittable clonal form of cancer without available treatment. In this study, we report the cell-autonomous antiproliferative and cytotoxic activities exhibited by the spider peptide gomesin (AgGom) and gomesin-like homologue (HiGom) in DFTD cells. Mechanistically, both peptides caused a significant reduction at G0/G1 phase, in correlation with an augmented expression of the cell cycle inhibitory proteins p53, p27, p21, necrosis, exacerbated generation of reactive oxygen species and diminished mitochondrial membrane potential, all hallmarks of cellular stress. The screening of a novel panel of AgGom-analogues revealed that, unlike changes in the hydrophobicity and electrostatic surface, the cytotoxic potential of the gomesin analogues in DFTD cells lies on specific arginine substitutions in the eight and nine positions and alanine replacement in three, five and 12 positions. In conclusion, the evidence supports gomesin as a potential antiproliferative compound against DFTD disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manuel A Fernandez-Rojo
- 1QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD 4006 Australia.,2Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4006 Australia.,3Madrid Institute for Advanced Studies (IMDEA) in Food, CEI UAM+CSIC, Madrid, 28049 Spain
| | - Evelyne Deplazes
- 4School of Biomedical Sciences, Curtin Health Innovation Research Institute and Curtin Institute for Computation, Curtin University, Perth, WA 6845 Australia
| | - Sandy S Pineda
- 5Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072 Australia
| | - Andreas Brust
- 5Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072 Australia
| | - Tano Marth
- 5Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072 Australia
| | - Patrick Wilhelm
- 5Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072 Australia
| | - Nick Martel
- 5Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072 Australia
| | - Grant A Ramm
- 1QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD 4006 Australia.,2Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4006 Australia
| | - Ricardo L Mancera
- 4School of Biomedical Sciences, Curtin Health Innovation Research Institute and Curtin Institute for Computation, Curtin University, Perth, WA 6845 Australia
| | - Paul F Alewood
- 5Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072 Australia
| | - Gregory M Woods
- 6Menzies Institute for Medical Research, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania 7000 Australia
| | - Katherine Belov
- 7School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006 Australia
| | - John J Miles
- 1QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD 4006 Australia.,2Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4006 Australia.,8Centre for Biodiscovery and Molecular Development of Therapeutics, Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine, James Cook University, Cairns, 4870 Australia
| | - Glenn F King
- 5Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072 Australia
| | - Maria P Ikonomopoulou
- 1QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD 4006 Australia.,2Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4006 Australia.,3Madrid Institute for Advanced Studies (IMDEA) in Food, CEI UAM+CSIC, Madrid, 28049 Spain
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12
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Patchett AL, Tovar C, Corcoran LM, Lyons AB, Woods GM. The toll-like receptor ligands Hiltonol ® (polyICLC) and imiquimod effectively activate antigen-specific immune responses in Tasmanian devils (Sarcophilus harrisii). DEVELOPMENTAL AND COMPARATIVE IMMUNOLOGY 2017; 76:352-360. [PMID: 28689773 DOI: 10.1016/j.dci.2017.07.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2017] [Revised: 06/28/2017] [Accepted: 07/05/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Devil facial tumour disease (DFTD) describes two genetically distinct transmissible tumours that pose a significant threat to the survival of the Tasmanian devil. A prophylactic vaccine could protect devils from DFTD transmission. For this vaccine to be effective, potent immune adjuvants will be required. Toll-like receptors (TLRs) promote robust immune responses in human cancer studies and are highly conserved across mammalian species. In this study, we investigated the proficiency of TLR ligands for immune activation in the Tasmanian devil using in vitro mononuclear cell stimulations and in vivo immunisation trials with a model antigen. We identified two such TLR ligands, polyICLC (Hiltonol®) (TLR3) and imiquimod (TLR7), that in combination induced significant IFNγ production from Tasmanian devil lymphocytes in vitro. Immunisation with these ligands and the model antigen keyhole limpet haemocyanin activated robust antigen-specific primary, secondary and long-term memory IgG responses. Our results support the conserved nature of TLR signaling across mammalian species. PolyICLC and imiquimod will be trialed as immune adjuvants in future DFTD vaccine formulations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda L Patchett
- Menzies Institute for Medical Research, University of Tasmania, Hobart 7000, Tasmania, Australia.
| | - Cesar Tovar
- Menzies Institute for Medical Research, University of Tasmania, Hobart 7000, Tasmania, Australia
| | - Lynn M Corcoran
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville 3052, Victoria, Australia; Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville 3052, Victoria, Australia
| | - A Bruce Lyons
- School of Medicine, University of Tasmania, Hobart 7000, Tasmania, Australia
| | - Gregory M Woods
- Menzies Institute for Medical Research, University of Tasmania, Hobart 7000, Tasmania, Australia; School of Medicine, University of Tasmania, Hobart 7000, Tasmania, Australia
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13
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Caldwell A, Siddle HV. The role of MHC genes in contagious cancer: the story of Tasmanian devils. Immunogenetics 2017; 69:537-545. [PMID: 28695294 PMCID: PMC5537419 DOI: 10.1007/s00251-017-0991-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2017] [Accepted: 04/21/2017] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The Tasmanian devil, a marsupial species endemic to the island of Tasmania, harbours two contagious cancers, Devil Facial Tumour 1 (DFT1) and Devil Facial Tumour 2 (DFT2). These cancers pass between individuals in the population via the direct transfer of tumour cells, resulting in the growth of large tumours around the face and neck of affected animals. While these cancers are rare, a contagious cancer also exists in dogs and five contagious cancers circulate in bivalves. The ability of tumour cells to emerge and transmit in mammals is surprising as these cells are an allograft and should be rejected due to incompatibility between Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) genes. As such, considerable research has focused on understanding how DFT1 cells evade the host immune system with particular reference to MHC molecules. This review evaluates the role that MHC class I expression and genotype plays in allowing DFT1 to circumvent histocompatibility barriers in Tasmanian devils. We also examine recent research that suggests that Tasmanian devils can mount an immune response to DFT1 and may form the basis of a protective vaccine against the tumour.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alison Caldwell
- Department of Biological Science, University of Southampton, Highfield Campus, Southampton, SO17 1BJ, UK
| | - Hannah V Siddle
- Department of Biological Science, University of Southampton, Highfield Campus, Southampton, SO17 1BJ, UK.
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14
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Flies AS, Blackburn NB, Lyons AB, Hayball JD, Woods GM. Comparative Analysis of Immune Checkpoint Molecules and Their Potential Role in the Transmissible Tasmanian Devil Facial Tumor Disease. Front Immunol 2017; 8:513. [PMID: 28515726 PMCID: PMC5413580 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2017.00513] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2017] [Accepted: 04/18/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Immune checkpoint molecules function as a system of checks and balances that enhance or inhibit immune responses to infectious agents, foreign tissues, and cancerous cells. Immunotherapies that target immune checkpoint molecules, particularly the inhibitory molecules programmed cell death 1 and cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated protein 4 (CTLA-4), have revolutionized human oncology in recent years, yet little is known about these key immune signaling molecules in species other than primates and rodents. The Tasmanian devil facial tumor disease is caused by transmissible cancers that have resulted in a massive decline in the wild Tasmanian devil population. We have recently demonstrated that the inhibitory checkpoint molecule PD-L1 is upregulated on Tasmanian devil (Sarcophilus harrisii) facial tumor cells in response to the interferon-gamma cytokine. As this could play a role in immune evasion by tumor cells, we performed a thorough comparative analysis of checkpoint molecule protein sequences among Tasmanian devils and eight other species. We report that many of the key signaling motifs and ligand-binding sites in the checkpoint molecules are highly conserved across the estimated 162 million years of evolution since the last common ancestor of placental and non-placental mammals. Specifically, we discovered that the CTLA-4 (MYPPPY) ligand-binding motif and the CTLA-4 (GVYVKM) inhibitory domain are completely conserved across all nine species used in our comparative analysis, suggesting that the function of CTLA-4 is likely conserved in these species. We also found that cysteine residues for intra- and intermolecular disulfide bonds were also highly conserved. For instance, all 20 cysteine residues involved in disulfide bonds in the human 4-1BB molecule were also present in devil 4-1BB. Although many key sequences were conserved, we have also identified immunoreceptor tyrosine-based inhibitory motifs (ITIMs) and immunoreceptor tyrosine-based switch motifs (ITSMs) in genes and protein domains that have not been previously reported in any species. This checkpoint molecule analysis and review of salient features for each of the molecules presented here can serve as road map for the development of a Tasmanian devil facial tumor disease immunotherapy. Finally, the strategies can be used as a guide for veterinarians, ecologists, and other researchers willing to venture into the nascent field of wild immunology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew S. Flies
- Menzies Institute for Medical Research, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS, Australia
- Department of Pharmacy and Medical Sciences, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Nicholas B. Blackburn
- Menzies Institute for Medical Research, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS, Australia
- School of Medicine, South Texas Diabetes and Obesity Institute, University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, Brownsville, TX, USA
| | - Alan Bruce Lyons
- School of Medicine, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS, Australia
| | - John D. Hayball
- Department of Pharmacy and Medical Sciences, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA, Australia
- Discipline of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, School of Medicine, Robinson Research Institute, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Gregory M. Woods
- Menzies Institute for Medical Research, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS, Australia
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15
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Tovar C, Pye RJ, Kreiss A, Cheng Y, Brown GK, Darby J, Malley RC, Siddle HVT, Skjødt K, Kaufman J, Silva A, Baz Morelli A, Papenfuss AT, Corcoran LM, Murphy JM, Pearse MJ, Belov K, Lyons AB, Woods GM. Regression of devil facial tumour disease following immunotherapy in immunised Tasmanian devils. Sci Rep 2017; 7:43827. [PMID: 28276463 PMCID: PMC5343465 DOI: 10.1038/srep43827] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2016] [Accepted: 02/01/2017] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Devil facial tumour disease (DFTD) is a transmissible cancer devastating the Tasmanian devil (Sarcophilus harrisii) population. The cancer cell is the ‘infectious’ agent transmitted as an allograft by biting. Animals usually die within a few months with no evidence of antibody or immune cell responses against the DFTD allograft. This lack of anti-tumour immunity is attributed to an absence of cell surface major histocompatibility complex (MHC)-I molecule expression. While the endangerment of the devil population precludes experimentation on large experimental groups, those examined in our study indicated that immunisation and immunotherapy with DFTD cells expressing surface MHC-I corresponded with effective anti-tumour responses. Tumour engraftment did not occur in one of the five immunised Tasmanian devils, and regression followed therapy of experimentally induced DFTD tumours in three Tasmanian devils. Regression correlated with immune cell infiltration and antibody responses against DFTD cells. These data support the concept that immunisation of devils with DFTD cancer cells can successfully induce humoral responses against DFTD and trigger immune-mediated regression of established tumours. Our findings support the feasibility of a protective DFTD vaccine and ultimately the preservation of the species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cesar Tovar
- Menzies Institute for Medical Research, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania 7000, Australia
| | - Ruth J Pye
- 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
| | - Yuanyuan Cheng
- Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales 2006, Australia
| | - Gabriella K Brown
- Menzies Institute for Medical Research, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania 7000, Australia.,Department of Health and Human Services, Hobart, Tasmania 7000, Australia
| | - Jocelyn Darby
- Menzies Institute for Medical Research, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania 7000, Australia
| | - Roslyn C Malley
- School of Medicine, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania 7000, Australia.,Royal Hobart Hospital, Hobart, Tasmania 7000, Australia
| | - Hannah V T Siddle
- Centre for Biological Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton SO17 1BJ, United Kingdom
| | - Karsten Skjødt
- Department of Cancer and Inflammation, University of Southern Denmark, 5000 Odense C, Denmark
| | - Jim Kaufman
- Department of Pathology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1QP, United Kingdom
| | - Anabel Silva
- CSL Ltd., Bio21 Institute, Melbourne, Victoria 3010, Australia
| | | | - Anthony T Papenfuss
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
| | - Lynn M Corcoran
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia.,Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia
| | - James M Murphy
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia.,Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia
| | - Martin J Pearse
- CSL Ltd., Bio21 Institute, Melbourne, Victoria 3010, Australia
| | - Katherine Belov
- Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales 2006, Australia
| | - A Bruce Lyons
- School of Medicine, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania 7000, Australia
| | - Gregory M Woods
- Menzies Institute for Medical Research, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania 7000, Australia.,School of Medicine, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania 7000, Australia
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16
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Flies AS, Lyons AB, Corcoran LM, Papenfuss AT, Murphy JM, Knowles GW, Woods GM, Hayball JD. PD-L1 Is Not Constitutively Expressed on Tasmanian Devil Facial Tumor Cells but Is Strongly Upregulated in Response to IFN-γ and Can Be Expressed in the Tumor Microenvironment. Front Immunol 2016; 7:581. [PMID: 28018348 PMCID: PMC5145852 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2016.00581] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2016] [Accepted: 11/24/2016] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
The devil facial tumor disease (DFTD) is caused by clonal transmissible cancers that have led to a catastrophic decline in the wild Tasmanian devil (Sarcophilus harrisii) population. The first transmissible tumor, now termed devil facial tumor 1 (DFT1), was first discovered in 1996 and has been continually transmitted to new hosts for at least 20 years. In 2015, a second transmissible cancer [devil facial tumor 2 (DFT2)] was discovered in wild devils, and the DFT2 is genetically distinct and independent from the DFT1. Despite the estimated 136,559 base pair substitutions and 14,647 insertions/deletions in the DFT1 genome as compared to two normal devil reference genomes, the allograft tumors are not rejected by the host immune system. Additionally, genome sequencing of two sub-strains of DFT1 detected greater than 15,000 single-base substitutions that were found in only one of the DFT1 sub-strains, demonstrating the transmissible tumors are evolving and that generation of neoantigens is likely ongoing. Recent evidence in human clinical trials suggests that blocking PD-1:PD-L1 interactions promotes antitumor immune responses and is most effective in cancers with a high number of mutations. We hypothesized that DFTD cells could exploit the PD-1:PD-L1 inhibitory pathway to evade antitumor immune responses. We developed recombinant proteins and monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) to provide the first demonstration that PD-1 binds to both PD-L1 and PD-L2 in a non-placental mammal and show that PD-L1 is upregulated in DFTD cells in response to IFN-γ. Immunohistochemistry showed that PD-L1 is rarely expressed in primary tumor masses, but low numbers of PD-L1+ non-tumor cells were detected in the microenvironment of several metastatic tumors. Importantly, in vitro testing suggests that PD-1 binding to PD-L1 and PD-L2 can be blocked by mAbs, which could be critical to understanding how the DFT allografts evade the immune system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew S. Flies
- Menzies Institute for Medical Research, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS, Australia
- Experimental Therapeutics Laboratory, Hanson Institute, School of Pharmacy and Medical Science, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA, Australia
- Experimental Therapeutics Laboratory, Sansom Institute, School of Pharmacy and Medical Science, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - A. Bruce Lyons
- School of Medicine, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS, Australia
| | - Lynn M. Corcoran
- Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, VIC, Australia
- Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Anthony T. Papenfuss
- Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, VIC, Australia
- Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Computational Cancer Biology Program, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - James M. Murphy
- Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, VIC, Australia
- Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Graeme W. Knowles
- Mount Pleasant Laboratories, Tasmanian Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and the Environment, Prospect, TAS, Australia
| | - Gregory M. Woods
- Menzies Institute for Medical Research, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS, Australia
| | - John D. Hayball
- Experimental Therapeutics Laboratory, Hanson Institute, School of Pharmacy and Medical Science, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA, Australia
- Experimental Therapeutics Laboratory, Sansom Institute, School of Pharmacy and Medical Science, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA, Australia
- Discipline of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, School of Medicine, Robinson Research Institute, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia
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17
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Hogg CJ, Lee AV, Srb C, Hibbard C. Metapopulation management of an Endangered species with limited genetic diversity in the presence of disease: the Tasmanian devilSarcophilus harrisii. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2016. [DOI: 10.1111/izy.12144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- C. J. Hogg
- School of Environmental and Life Sciences; University of Sydney; Sydney NSW 2006 Australia
- Zoo and Aquarium Association Australasia; Mosman NSW 2088 Australia
| | - A. V. Lee
- Save the Tasmanian Devil Program; DPIPWE; Hobart Tasmania 7001 Australia
| | - C. Srb
- Healesville Sanctuary; Healesville VIC 3777 Australia
| | - C. Hibbard
- Zoo and Aquarium Association Australasia; Mosman NSW 2088 Australia
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