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Dujon AM, Ujvari B, Tissot S, Meliani J, Rieu O, Stepanskyy N, Hamede R, Tokolyi J, Nedelcu A, Thomas F. The complex effects of modern oncogenic environments on the fitness, evolution and conservation of wildlife species. Evol Appl 2024; 17:e13763. [PMID: 39100750 PMCID: PMC11294924 DOI: 10.1111/eva.13763] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2024] [Revised: 04/16/2024] [Accepted: 07/18/2024] [Indexed: 08/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Growing evidence indicates that human activities are causing cancer rates to rise in both human and wildlife populations. This is due to the inability of ancestral anti-cancer defences to cope with modern environmental risks. The evolutionary mismatch between modern oncogenic risks and evolved cancer defences has far-reaching effects on various biological aspects at different timeframes, demanding a comprehensive study of the biology and evolutionary ecology of the affected species. Firstly, the increased activation of anti-cancer defences leads to excessive energy expenditure, affecting other biological functions and potentially causing health issues like autoimmune diseases. Secondly, tumorigenesis itself can impact important fitness-related parameters such as competitiveness, predator evasion, resistance to parasites, and dispersal capacity. Thirdly, rising cancer risks can influence the species' life-history traits, often favoring early reproduction to offset fitness costs associated with cancer. However, this strategy has its limits, and it may not ensure the sustainability of the species if cancer risks continue to rise. Lastly, some species may evolve additional anti-cancer defences, with uncertain consequences for their biology and future evolutionary path. In summary, we argue that the effects of increased exposure to cancer-causing substances on wildlife are complex, ranging from immediate responses to long-term evolutionary changes. Understanding these processes, especially in the context of conservation biology, is urgently needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antoine M. Dujon
- School of Life and Environmental SciencesDeakin UniversityWaurn PondsVictoriaAustralia
- CREEC/CANECEV (CREES), MIVEGEC, Unité Mixte de Recherches, IRD 224–CNRS 5290–Université de MontpellierMontpellierFrance
| | - Beata Ujvari
- School of Life and Environmental SciencesDeakin UniversityWaurn PondsVictoriaAustralia
| | - Sophie Tissot
- CREEC/CANECEV (CREES), MIVEGEC, Unité Mixte de Recherches, IRD 224–CNRS 5290–Université de MontpellierMontpellierFrance
| | - Jordan Meliani
- CREEC/CANECEV (CREES), MIVEGEC, Unité Mixte de Recherches, IRD 224–CNRS 5290–Université de MontpellierMontpellierFrance
| | - Océane Rieu
- CREEC/CANECEV (CREES), MIVEGEC, Unité Mixte de Recherches, IRD 224–CNRS 5290–Université de MontpellierMontpellierFrance
| | - Nikita Stepanskyy
- CREEC/CANECEV (CREES), MIVEGEC, Unité Mixte de Recherches, IRD 224–CNRS 5290–Université de MontpellierMontpellierFrance
| | - Rodrigo Hamede
- School of Natural SciencesUniversity of TasmaniaHobartTasmaniaAustralia
| | - Jácint Tokolyi
- Department of Evolutionary Zoology, MTA‐DE “Momentum” Ecology, Evolution and Developmental Biology Research GroupUniversity of DebrecenDebrecenHungary
| | - Aurora Nedelcu
- Department of BiologyUniversity of new BrunswickFrederictonNew BrunswickCanada
| | - Frédéric Thomas
- School of Life and Environmental SciencesDeakin UniversityWaurn PondsVictoriaAustralia
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2
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Raven N, Klaassen M, Madsen T, Jones M, Hamilton DG, Ruiz-Aravena M, Thomas F, Hamede RK, Ujvari B. Complex associations between cancer progression and immune gene expression reveals early influence of transmissible cancer on Tasmanian devils. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1286352. [PMID: 38515744 PMCID: PMC10954821 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1286352] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2023] [Accepted: 01/29/2024] [Indexed: 03/23/2024] Open
Abstract
The world's largest extant carnivorous marsupial, the Tasmanian devil, is challenged by Devil Facial Tumor Disease (DFTD), a fatal, clonally transmitted cancer. In two decades, DFTD has spread across 95% of the species distributional range. A previous study has shown that factors such as season, geographic location, and infection with DFTD can impact the expression of immune genes in Tasmanian devils. To date, no study has investigated within-individual immune gene expression changes prior to and throughout the course of DFTD infection. To explore possible changes in immune response, we investigated four locations across Tasmania that differed in DFTD exposure history, ranging between 2 and >30 years. Our study demonstrated considerable complexity in the immune responses to DFTD. The same factors (sex, age, season, location and DFTD infection) affected immune gene expression both across and within devils, although seasonal and location specific variations were diminished in DFTD affected devils. We also found that expression of both adaptive and innate immune genes starts to alter early in DFTD infection and continues to change as DFTD progresses. A novel finding was that the lower expression of immune genes MHC-II, NKG2D and CD8 may predict susceptibility to earlier DFTD infection. A case study of a single devil with regressed tumor showed opposite/contrasting immune gene expression patterns compared to the general trends observed across devils with DFTD infection. Our study highlights the complexity of DFTD's interactions with the host immune system and the need for long-term studies to fully understand how DFTD alters the evolutionary trajectory of devil immunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nynke Raven
- Deakin University, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Centre for Integrative Ecology, Geelong, VIC, Australia
| | - Marcel Klaassen
- Deakin University, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Centre for Integrative Ecology, Geelong, VIC, Australia
| | - Thomas Madsen
- Deakin University, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Centre for Integrative Ecology, Geelong, VIC, Australia
| | - Menna Jones
- School of Natural Sciences, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS, Australia
| | - David G. Hamilton
- School of Natural Sciences, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS, Australia
| | - Manuel Ruiz-Aravena
- Mississippi State University, Forest & Wildlife Research Center (FWRC)-Wildlife, Fisheries & Aquaculture, Starkville, MS, United States
| | - Frederic Thomas
- CREEC/CANECEV, CREES-MIVEGEC, Univ. Montpellier, CNRS, IRD, Montpellier, France
| | - Rodrigo K. Hamede
- School of Natural Sciences, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS, Australia
| | - Beata Ujvari
- Deakin University, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Centre for Integrative Ecology, Geelong, VIC, Australia
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3
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Ujvari B, Raven N, Madsen T, Klaassen M, Dujon AM, Schultz AG, Nunney L, Lemaître J, Giraudeau M, Thomas F. Telomeres, the loop tying cancer to organismal life-histories. Mol Ecol 2022; 31:6273-6285. [PMID: 35510763 PMCID: PMC9790343 DOI: 10.1111/mec.16488] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2021] [Revised: 03/04/2022] [Accepted: 03/30/2022] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Recent developments in telomere and cancer evolutionary ecology demonstrate a very complex relationship between the need of tissue repair and controlling the emergence of abnormally proliferating cells. The trade-off is balanced by natural and sexual selection and mediated via both intrinsic and environmental factors. Here, we explore the effects of telomere-cancer dynamics on life history traits and strategies as well as on the cumulative effects of genetic and environmental factors. We show that telomere-cancer dynamics constitute an incredibly complex and multifaceted process. From research to date, it appears that the relationship between telomere length and cancer risk is likely nonlinear with good evidence that both (too) long and (too) short telomeres can be associated with increased cancer risk. The ability and propensity of organisms to respond to the interplay of telomere dynamics and oncogenic processes, depends on the combination of its tissue environments, life history strategies, environmental challenges (i.e., extreme climatic conditions), pressure by predators and pollution, as well as its evolutionary history. Consequently, precise interpretation of telomere-cancer dynamics requires integrative and multidisciplinary approaches. Finally, incorporating information on telomere dynamics and the expression of tumour suppressor genes and oncogenes could potentially provide the synergistic overview that could lay the foundations to study telomere-cancer dynamics at ecosystem levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beata Ujvari
- Centre for Integrative EcologySchool of Life and Environmental SciencesDeakin UniversityGeelongVictoriaAustralia
| | - Nynke Raven
- Centre for Integrative EcologySchool of Life and Environmental SciencesDeakin UniversityGeelongVictoriaAustralia
| | - Thomas Madsen
- Centre for Integrative EcologySchool of Life and Environmental SciencesDeakin UniversityGeelongVictoriaAustralia
| | - Marcel Klaassen
- Centre for Integrative EcologySchool of Life and Environmental SciencesDeakin UniversityGeelongVictoriaAustralia
| | - Antoine M. Dujon
- Centre for Integrative EcologySchool of Life and Environmental SciencesDeakin UniversityGeelongVictoriaAustralia
| | - Aaron G. Schultz
- Centre for Integrative EcologySchool of Life and Environmental SciencesDeakin UniversityGeelongVictoriaAustralia
| | - Leonard Nunney
- Department of Evolution, Ecology and Organismal BiologyUniversity of California, RiversideRiversideCaliforniaUSA
| | - Jean‐François Lemaître
- Université de LyonLyonFrance,Laboratoire de Biométrie et Biologie ÉvolutiveUniversité Lyon 1CNRSUMR5558VilleurbanneFrance
| | - Mathieu Giraudeau
- CREEC/CANECEV (CREES)MIVEGECUnité Mixte de RecherchesIRD 224–CNRS 5290–Université de MontpellierMontpellierFrance,LIENSsUMR 7266 CNRS‐La Rochelle UniversitéLa RochelleFrance
| | - Frédéric Thomas
- CREEC/CANECEV (CREES)MIVEGECUnité Mixte de RecherchesIRD 224–CNRS 5290–Université de MontpellierMontpellierFrance
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4
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5
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Espejo C, Wilson R, Pye RJ, Ratcliffe JC, Ruiz-Aravena M, Willms E, Wolfe BW, Hamede R, Hill AF, Jones ME, Woods GM, Lyons AB. Cathelicidin-3 Associated With Serum Extracellular Vesicles Enables Early Diagnosis of a Transmissible Cancer. Front Immunol 2022; 13:858423. [PMID: 35422813 PMCID: PMC9004462 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.858423] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2022] [Accepted: 03/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
The identification of practical early diagnostic biomarkers is a cornerstone of improved prevention and treatment of cancers. Such a case is devil facial tumor disease (DFTD), a highly lethal transmissible cancer afflicting virtually an entire species, the Tasmanian devil (Sarcophilus harrisii). Despite a latent period that can exceed one year, to date DFTD diagnosis requires visual identification of tumor lesions. To enable earlier diagnosis, which is essential for the implementation of effective conservation strategies, we analyzed the extracellular vesicle (EV) proteome of 87 Tasmanian devil serum samples using data-independent acquisition mass spectrometry approaches. The antimicrobial peptide cathelicidin-3 (CATH3), released by innate immune cells, was enriched in serum EV samples of both devils with clinical DFTD (87.9% sensitivity and 94.1% specificity) and devils with latent infection (i.e., collected while overtly healthy, but 3-6 months before subsequent DFTD diagnosis; 93.8% sensitivity and 94.1% specificity). Although high expression of antimicrobial peptides has been mostly related to inflammatory diseases, our results suggest that they can be also used as accurate cancer biomarkers, suggesting a mechanistic role in tumorous processes. This EV-based approach to biomarker discovery is directly applicable to improving understanding and diagnosis of a broad range of diseases in other species, and these findings directly enhance the capacity of conservation strategies to ensure the viability of the imperiled Tasmanian devil population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camila Espejo
- Tasmanian School of Medicine, College of Health and Medicine, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS, Australia
| | - Richard Wilson
- Central Science Laboratory, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS, Australia
| | - Ruth J Pye
- Menzies Institute for Medical Research, College of Health and Medicine, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS, Australia
| | - Julian C Ratcliffe
- La Trobe University Bioimaging Platform, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC, Australia
| | - Manuel Ruiz-Aravena
- School of Natural Sciences, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS, Australia.,Department of Microbiology and Cell Biology, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT, United States
| | - Eduard Willms
- Department of Biochemistry and Chemistry, School of Agriculture, Biomedicine and Environment, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC, Australia
| | - Barrett W Wolfe
- Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS, Australia
| | - Rodrigo Hamede
- School of Natural Sciences, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS, Australia.,CANECEV, Centre de Recherches Ecologiques et Evolutives sur le Cancer, Montpellier, France
| | - Andrew F Hill
- Department of Biochemistry and Chemistry, School of Agriculture, Biomedicine and Environment, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC, Australia.,Institute for Health and Sport, Victoria University, Footscray, VIC, Australia
| | - Menna E Jones
- School of Natural Sciences, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS, Australia
| | - Gregory M Woods
- Menzies Institute for Medical Research, College of Health and Medicine, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS, Australia
| | - A Bruce Lyons
- Tasmanian School of Medicine, College of Health and Medicine, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS, Australia
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6
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Hussey K, Caldwell A, Kreiss A, Skjødt K, Gastaldello A, Pye R, Hamede R, Woods GM, Siddle HV. Expression of the Nonclassical MHC Class I, Saha-UD in the Transmissible Cancer Devil Facial Tumour Disease (DFTD). Pathogens 2022; 11:pathogens11030351. [PMID: 35335675 PMCID: PMC8953681 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens11030351] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2022] [Revised: 03/02/2022] [Accepted: 03/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Devil facial tumour disease (DFTD) is a transmissible cancer that has circulated in the Tasmanian devil population for >25 years. Like other contagious cancers in dogs and devils, the way DFTD escapes the immune response of its host is a central question to understanding this disease. DFTD has a low major histocompatibility complex class I (MHC-I) expression due to epigenetic modifications, preventing host immune recognition of mismatched MHC-I molecules by T cells. However, the total MHC-I loss should result in natural killer (NK) cell activation due to the ‘missing self’. Here, we have investigated the expression of the nonclassical MHC-I, Saha-UD as a potential regulatory or suppressive mechanism for DFTD. A monoclonal antibody was generated against the devil Saha-UD that binds recombinant Saha-UD by Western blot, with limited crossreactivity to the classical MHC-I, Saha-UC and nonclassical Saha-UK. Using this antibody, we confirmed the expression of Saha-UD in 13 DFTD tumours by immunohistochemistry (n = 15) and demonstrated that Saha-UD expression is heterogeneous, with 12 tumours showing intratumour heterogeneity. Immunohistochemical staining for the Saha-UD showed distinct patterns of expression when compared with classical MHC-I molecules. The nonclassical Saha-UD expression by DFTD tumours in vivo may be a mechanism for immunosuppression, and further work is ongoing to characterise its ligand on immune cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathryn Hussey
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton SO17 1BJ, UK; (K.H.); (A.C.); (A.G.)
| | - Alison Caldwell
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton SO17 1BJ, UK; (K.H.); (A.C.); (A.G.)
| | - Alexandre Kreiss
- Menzies Institute for Medical Research, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS 7000, Australia; (A.K.); (R.P.); (G.M.W.)
| | - Karsten Skjødt
- Department of Cancer and Inflammation, University of Southern Denmark, 5230 Odense, Denmark;
| | - Annalisa Gastaldello
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton SO17 1BJ, UK; (K.H.); (A.C.); (A.G.)
| | - Ruth Pye
- Menzies Institute for Medical Research, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS 7000, Australia; (A.K.); (R.P.); (G.M.W.)
| | - Rodrigo Hamede
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS 7005, Australia;
| | - Gregory M. Woods
- Menzies Institute for Medical Research, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS 7000, Australia; (A.K.); (R.P.); (G.M.W.)
| | - Hannah V. Siddle
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton SO17 1BJ, UK; (K.H.); (A.C.); (A.G.)
- Correspondence:
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7
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Belkhir S, Hamede R, Thomas F, Ujvari B, Dujon AM. Season, weight, and age, but not transmissible cancer, affect tick loads in the endangered Tasmanian devil. INFECTION, GENETICS AND EVOLUTION : JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR EPIDEMIOLOGY AND EVOLUTIONARY GENETICS IN INFECTIOUS DISEASES 2022; 98:105221. [PMID: 35065301 DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2022.105221] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2021] [Revised: 01/12/2022] [Accepted: 01/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
The Tasmanian devil (Sarcophilus harrisii) is a carnivorous marsupial threatened by a transmissible cancer, devil facial tumour disease (DFTD). While we have a good understanding of the effect of the transmissible cancer on its host, little information is available about its potential interactions with ectoparasites. With this study, we aimed to determine the factors driving tick loads in a DFTD affected Tasmanian devil population, using long-term mark-recapture data. We investigated the effect of a range of life history traits (age, weight, sex, body condition) and of DFTD (time since DFTD arrival and presence of tumours) on the ectoparasitic tick load of the devils. Mixed effect models revealed that tick load in Tasmanian devils was primarily driven by season, weight, body condition and age. Young devils had more ticks compared to older or healthier devils. The reduction in Tasmanian devil population size over the past 14 years at the studied site had little effect on tick infestation. We also found that devils infected by DFTD had a similar tick load compared to those free of observable tumours, suggesting no interaction between the transmissible cancer and tick load. Our study highlights seasonality and life cycle as primary drivers of tick infestation in Tasmanian devils and the need for further investigations to integrate devil stress and immune dynamics with ectoparasite counts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sophia Belkhir
- Deakin University, Geelong, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Centre for Integrative Ecology, Waurn Ponds, Vic, 3216, Australia; École normale supérieure de Lyon, Département de biologie, Master biologie, Lyon, France
| | - Rodrigo Hamede
- School of Natural Sciences, University of Tasmania, Private Bag 55, Hobart, Tasmania 7001, Australia
| | - Frédéric Thomas
- CREEC, MIVEGEC, UMR IRD 224-CNRS 5290-Université de Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Beata Ujvari
- Deakin University, Geelong, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Centre for Integrative Ecology, Waurn Ponds, Vic, 3216, Australia
| | - Antoine M Dujon
- Deakin University, Geelong, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Centre for Integrative Ecology, Waurn Ponds, Vic, 3216, Australia; CREEC, MIVEGEC, UMR IRD 224-CNRS 5290-Université de Montpellier, Montpellier, France.
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8
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Raven N, Klaassen M, Madsen T, Thomas F, Hamede R, Ujvari B. Transmissible cancer influences immune gene expression in an endangered marsupial, the Tasmanian devil (Sarcophilus harrisii). Mol Ecol 2022; 31:2293-2311. [PMID: 35202488 PMCID: PMC9310804 DOI: 10.1111/mec.16408] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2020] [Accepted: 02/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Understanding the effects of wildlife diseases on populations requires insight into local environmental conditions, host defence mechanisms, host life‐history trade‐offs, pathogen population dynamics, and their interactions. The survival of Tasmanian devils (Sarcophilus harrisii) is challenged by a novel, fitness limiting pathogen, Tasmanian devil facial tumour disease (DFTD), a clonally transmissible, contagious cancer. In order to understand the devils’ capacity to respond to DFTD, it is crucial to gain information on factors influencing the devils’ immune system. By using RT‐qPCR, we investigated how DFTD infection in association with intrinsic (sex and age) and environmental (season) factors influences the expression of 10 immune genes in Tasmanian devil blood. Our study showed that the expression of immune genes (both innate and adaptive) differed across seasons, a pattern that was altered when infected with DFTD. The expression of immunogbulins IgE and IgM:IgG showed downregulation in colder months in DFTD infected animals. We also observed strong positive association between the expression of an innate immune gene, CD16, and DFTD infection. Our results demonstrate that sampling across seasons, age groups and environmental conditions are beneficial when deciphering the complex ecoevolutionary interactions of not only conventional host‐parasite systems, but also of host and diseases with high mortality rates, such as transmissible cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- N Raven
- Deakin University, Geelong, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Centre for Integrative Ecology, Waurn Ponds, Vic, 3216, Australia
| | - M Klaassen
- Deakin University, Geelong, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Centre for Integrative Ecology, Waurn Ponds, Vic, 3216, Australia
| | - T Madsen
- Deakin University, Geelong, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Centre for Integrative Ecology, Waurn Ponds, Vic, 3216, Australia
| | - F Thomas
- CREEC/CANECEV (CREES), Montpellier, France.,MIVEGEC, Université de Montpellier, CNRS, IRD, Montpellier, France
| | - R Hamede
- Deakin University, Geelong, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Centre for Integrative Ecology, Waurn Ponds, Vic, 3216, Australia.,School of Natural Sciences, University of Tasmania, Private Bag 55, Hobart, Tasmania, 7001, Australia
| | - B Ujvari
- Deakin University, Geelong, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Centre for Integrative Ecology, Waurn Ponds, Vic, 3216, Australia
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9
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Silva RCMC, Panis C, Pires BRB. Lessons from transmissible cancers for immunotherapy and transplant. Immunol Med 2021; 45:146-161. [PMID: 34962854 DOI: 10.1080/25785826.2021.2018783] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The emergence of horizontal transmission of cancer between vertebrates is an issue that interests scientists and medical society. Transmission requires: (i) a mechanism by which cancer cells can transfer to another organism and (ii) a repressed immune response on the part of the recipient. Transmissible tumors are unique models to comprehend the responses and mechanisms mediated by the major histocompatibility complex (MHC), which can be transposed for transplant biology. Here, we discuss the mechanisms involved in immune-mediated tissue rejection, making a parallel with transmissible cancers. We also discuss cellular and molecular mechanisms involved in cancer immunotherapy and anti-rejection therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rafael Cardoso Maciel Costa Silva
- Laboratory of Immunoreceptors and Signaling, Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio De Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Carolina Panis
- Laboratory of Tumor Biology, State University of West Paraná, UNIOESTE, Francisco Beltrão, Brazil
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10
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Espejo C, Wilson R, Willms E, Ruiz-Aravena M, Pye RJ, Jones ME, Hill AF, Woods GM, Lyons AB. Extracellular vesicle proteomes of two transmissible cancers of Tasmanian devils reveal tenascin-C as a serum-based differential diagnostic biomarker. Cell Mol Life Sci 2021; 78:7537-7555. [PMID: 34655299 PMCID: PMC11073120 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-021-03955-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2021] [Revised: 08/26/2021] [Accepted: 09/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The iconic Tasmanian devil (Sarcophilus harrisii) is endangered due to the transmissible cancer Devil Facial Tumour Disease (DFTD), of which there are two genetically independent subtypes (DFT1 and DFT2). While DFT1 and DFT2 can be differentially diagnosed using tumour biopsies, there is an urgent need to develop less-invasive biomarkers that can detect DFTD and distinguish between subtypes. Extracellular vesicles (EVs), the nano-sized membrane-enclosed vesicles present in most biofluids, represent a valuable resource for biomarker discovery. Here, we characterized the proteome of EVs from cultured DFTD cells using data-independent acquisition-mass spectrometry and an in-house spectral library of > 1500 proteins. EVs from both DFT1 and DFT2 cell lines expressed higher levels of proteins associated with focal adhesion functions. Furthermore, hallmark proteins of epithelial-mesenchymal transition were enriched in DFT2 EVs relative to DFT1 EVs. These findings were validated in EVs derived from serum samples, revealing that the mesenchymal marker tenascin-C was also enriched in EVs derived from the serum of devils infected with DFT2 relative to those infected with DFT1 and healthy controls. This first EV-based investigation of DFTD increases our understanding of the cancers' EVs and their possible involvement in DFTD progression, such as metastasis. Finally, we demonstrated the potential of EVs to differentiate between DFT1 and DFT2, highlighting their potential use as less-invasive liquid biopsies for the Tasmanian devil.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camila Espejo
- Tasmanian School of Medicine, College of Health and Medicine, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS, 7000, Australia.
| | - Richard Wilson
- Central Science Laboratory, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS, 7005, Australia
| | - Eduard Willms
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC, 3083, Australia
| | - Manuel Ruiz-Aravena
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT, 59717, USA
- School of Natural Sciences, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS, 7001, Australia
| | - Ruth J Pye
- Menzies Institute for Medical Research, College of Health and Medicine, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS, 7000, Australia
| | - Menna E Jones
- School of Natural Sciences, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS, 7001, Australia
| | - Andrew F Hill
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC, 3083, Australia
| | - Gregory M Woods
- Menzies Institute for Medical Research, College of Health and Medicine, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS, 7000, Australia
| | - A Bruce Lyons
- Tasmanian School of Medicine, College of Health and Medicine, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS, 7000, Australia
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11
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Dujon AM, Vittecoq M, Bramwell G, Thomas F, Ujvari B. Machine learning is a powerful tool to study the effect of cancer on species and ecosystems. Methods Ecol Evol 2021. [DOI: 10.1111/2041-210x.13703] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Antoine M. Dujon
- Geelong School of Life and Environmental Sciences Centre for Integrative Ecology Deakin University Waurn Ponds Victoria Australia
- CREECUMR IRD 224‐CNRS 5290‐Université de Montpellier Montpellier France
- CANECEV‐Centre de Recherches Ecologiques et Evolutives sur le cancer (CREEC) Montpellier France
| | - Marion Vittecoq
- CREECUMR IRD 224‐CNRS 5290‐Université de Montpellier Montpellier France
- MIVEGECUniversity of MontpellierCNRSIRD Montpellier France
- Tour du Valat Research Institute for the Conservation of Mediterranean Wetlands Arles France
| | - Georgina Bramwell
- Geelong School of Life and Environmental Sciences Centre for Integrative Ecology Deakin University Waurn Ponds Victoria Australia
- CANECEV‐Centre de Recherches Ecologiques et Evolutives sur le cancer (CREEC) Montpellier France
| | - Frédéric Thomas
- CREECUMR IRD 224‐CNRS 5290‐Université de Montpellier Montpellier France
- CANECEV‐Centre de Recherches Ecologiques et Evolutives sur le cancer (CREEC) Montpellier France
- MIVEGECUniversity of MontpellierCNRSIRD Montpellier France
| | - Beata Ujvari
- Geelong School of Life and Environmental Sciences Centre for Integrative Ecology Deakin University Waurn Ponds Victoria Australia
- CANECEV‐Centre de Recherches Ecologiques et Evolutives sur le cancer (CREEC) Montpellier France
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12
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Spatial variation in gene expression of Tasmanian devil facial tumors despite minimal host transcriptomic response to infection. BMC Genomics 2021; 22:698. [PMID: 34579650 PMCID: PMC8477496 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-021-07994-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2021] [Accepted: 09/08/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Transmissible cancers lie at the intersection of oncology and infectious disease, two traditionally divergent fields for which gene expression studies are particularly useful for identifying the molecular basis of phenotypic variation. In oncology, transcriptomics studies, which characterize the expression of thousands of genes, have identified processes leading to heterogeneity in cancer phenotypes and individual prognoses. More generally, transcriptomics studies of infectious diseases characterize interactions between host, pathogen, and environment to better predict population-level outcomes. Tasmanian devils have been impacted dramatically by a transmissible cancer (devil facial tumor disease; DFTD) that has led to widespread population declines. Despite initial predictions of extinction, populations have persisted at low levels, due in part to heterogeneity in host responses, particularly between sexes. However, the processes underlying this variation remain unknown. RESULTS We sequenced transcriptomes from healthy and DFTD-infected devils, as well as DFTD tumors, to characterize host responses to DFTD infection, identify differing host-tumor molecular interactions between sexes, and investigate the extent to which tumor gene expression varies among host populations. We found minimal variation in gene expression of devil lip tissues, either with respect to DFTD infection status or sex. However, 4088 genes were differentially expressed in tumors among our sampling localities. Pathways that were up- or downregulated in DFTD tumors relative to normal tissues exhibited the same patterns of expression with greater intensity in tumors from localities that experienced DFTD for longer. No mRNA sequence variants were associated with expression variation. CONCLUSIONS Expression variation among localities may reflect morphological differences in tumors that alter ratios of normal-to-tumor cells within biopsies. Phenotypic variation in tumors may arise from environmental variation or differences in host immune response that were undetectable in lip biopsies, potentially reflecting variation in host-tumor coevolutionary relationships among sites that differ in the time since DFTD arrival.
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13
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Bell O, Jones ME, Cunningham CX, Ruiz‐Aravena M, Hamilton DG, Comte S, Hamede RK, Bearhop S, McDonald RA. Isotopic niche variation in Tasmanian devils Sarcophilus harrisii with progression of devil facial tumor disease. Ecol Evol 2021; 11:8038-8053. [PMID: 34188870 PMCID: PMC8216929 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.7636] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2020] [Revised: 04/12/2021] [Accepted: 04/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Devil facial tumor disease (DFTD) is a transmissible cancer affecting Tasmanian devils Sarcophilus harrisii. The disease has caused severe population declines and is associated with demographic and behavioral changes, including earlier breeding, younger age structures, and reduced dispersal and social interactions. Devils are generally solitary, but social encounters are commonplace when feeding upon large carcasses. DFTD tumors can disfigure the jaw and mouth and so diseased individuals might alter their diets to enable ingestion of alternative foods, to avoid conspecific interactions, or to reduce competition. Using stable isotope analysis (δ13C and δ15N) of whiskers, we tested whether DFTD progression, measured as tumor volume, affected the isotope ratios and isotopic niches of 94 infected Tasmanian devils from six sites in Tasmania, comprising four eucalypt plantations, an area of smallholdings and a national park. Then, using tissue from 10 devils sampled before and after detection of tumors and 8 devils where no tumors were detected, we examined whether mean and standard deviation of δ13C and δ15N of the same individuals changed between healthy and diseased states. δ13C and δ15N values were generally not related to tumor volume in infected devils, though at one site, Freycinet National Park, δ15N values increased significantly as tumor volume increased. Infection with DFTD was not associated with significant changes in the mean or standard deviation of δ13C and δ15N values in individual devils sampled before and after detection of tumors. Our analysis suggests that devils tend to maintain their isotopic niche in the face of DFTD infection and progression, except where ecological conditions facilitate a shift in diets and feeding behaviors, demonstrating that ecological context, alongside disease severity, can modulate the behavioral responses of Tasmanian devils to DFTD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olivia Bell
- Environment and Sustainability InstituteUniversity of ExeterPenrynUK
| | - Menna E. Jones
- School of Natural SciencesUniversity of TasmaniaHobartTasmaniaAustralia
| | | | - Manuel Ruiz‐Aravena
- School of Natural SciencesUniversity of TasmaniaHobartTasmaniaAustralia
- Department of Microbiology and ImmunologyMontana State UniversityBozemanMTUSA
| | - David G. Hamilton
- School of Natural SciencesUniversity of TasmaniaHobartTasmaniaAustralia
| | - Sebastien Comte
- School of Natural SciencesUniversity of TasmaniaHobartTasmaniaAustralia
- Vertebrate Pest Research UnitNSW Department of Primary IndustriesOrangeNSWAustralia
| | - Rodrigo K. Hamede
- School of Natural SciencesUniversity of TasmaniaHobartTasmaniaAustralia
| | - Stuart Bearhop
- Centre for Ecology and ConservationUniversity of ExeterPenrynUK
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14
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Cunningham CX, Comte S, McCallum H, Hamilton DG, Hamede R, Storfer A, Hollings T, Ruiz-Aravena M, Kerlin DH, Brook BW, Hocking G, Jones ME. Quantifying 25 years of disease-caused declines in Tasmanian devil populations: host density drives spatial pathogen spread. Ecol Lett 2021; 24:958-969. [PMID: 33638597 PMCID: PMC9844790 DOI: 10.1111/ele.13703] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2020] [Revised: 11/11/2020] [Accepted: 01/15/2021] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Infectious diseases are strong drivers of wildlife population dynamics, however, empirical analyses from the early stages of pathogen emergence are rare. Tasmanian devil facial tumour disease (DFTD), discovered in 1996, provides the opportunity to study an epizootic from its inception. We use a pattern-oriented diffusion simulation to model the spatial spread of DFTD across the species' range and quantify population effects by jointly modelling multiple streams of data spanning 35 years. We estimate the wild devil population peaked at 53 000 in 1996, less than half of previous estimates. DFTD spread rapidly through high-density areas, with spread velocity slowing in areas of low host densities. By 2020, DFTD occupied >90% of the species' range, causing 82% declines in local densities and reducing the total population to 16 900. Encouragingly, our model forecasts the population decline should level-off within the next decade, supporting conservation management focused on facilitating evolution of resistance and tolerance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Calum X. Cunningham
- School of Natural Sciences, University of Tasmania, Private Bag 55, Hobart, TAS 7001, Australia,Correspondence: ;
| | - Sebastien Comte
- School of Natural Sciences, University of Tasmania, Private Bag 55, Hobart, TAS 7001, Australia,Vertebrate Pest Research Unit, NSW Department of Primary Industries, 1447 Forest Road, Orange, NSW 2800, Australia
| | - Hamish McCallum
- Environmental Futures Research Institute and School of Environment and Science, Griffith University, Nathan, Qld 4111, Australia
| | - David G. Hamilton
- School of Natural Sciences, University of Tasmania, Private Bag 55, Hobart, TAS 7001, Australia
| | - Rodrigo Hamede
- School of Natural Sciences, University of Tasmania, Private Bag 55, Hobart, TAS 7001, Australia,CANECEV – Centre de Recherches Ecologiques et Evolutives sur le cancer (CREEC), Montpellier 34090, France
| | - Andrew Storfer
- School of Biological Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164-4236, USA
| | - Tracey Hollings
- Arthur Rylah Institute for Environmental Research, 123 Brown Street, Heidelberg, Vic. 3084, Australia,School of BioSciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Vic. 3010, Australia
| | - Manuel Ruiz-Aravena
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT 59717, USA
| | - Douglas H. Kerlin
- Environmental Futures Research Institute and School of Environment and Science, Griffith University, Nathan, Qld 4111, Australia
| | - Barry W. Brook
- School of Natural Sciences, University of Tasmania, Private Bag 55, Hobart, TAS 7001, Australia,ARC Centre of Excellence for Australian Biodiversity and Heritage (CABAH), University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania 7001, Australia
| | - Greg Hocking
- Game Services Tasmania, Tasmanian Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment, TAS, PO Box 44, Hobart 7001, Australia
| | - Manna E. Jones
- School of Natural Sciences, University of Tasmania, Private Bag 55, Hobart, TAS 7001, Australia
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15
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Hamilton DG, Jones ME, Cameron EZ, Kerlin DH, McCallum H, Storfer A, Hohenlohe PA, Hamede RK. Infectious disease and sickness behaviour: tumour progression affects interaction patterns and social network structure in wild Tasmanian devils. Proc Biol Sci 2020; 287:20202454. [PMID: 33290679 PMCID: PMC7739934 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2020.2454] [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: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Infectious diseases, including transmissible cancers, can have a broad range of impacts on host behaviour, particularly in the latter stages of disease progression. However, the difficulty of early diagnoses makes the study of behavioural influences of disease in wild animals a challenging task. Tasmanian devils (Sarcophilus harrisii) are affected by a transmissible cancer, devil facial tumour disease (DFTD), in which tumours are externally visible as they progress. Using telemetry and mark-recapture datasets, we quantify the impacts of cancer progression on the behaviour of wild devils by assessing how interaction patterns within the social network of a population change with increasing tumour load. The progression of DFTD negatively influences devils' likelihood of interaction within their network. Infected devils were more active within their network late in the mating season, a pattern with repercussions for DFTD transmission. Our study provides a rare opportunity to quantify and understand the behavioural feedbacks of disease in wildlife and how they may affect transmission and population dynamics in general.
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Affiliation(s)
- David G. Hamilton
- School of Natural Sciences, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Australia,e-mail:
| | - Menna E. Jones
- School of Natural Sciences, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Australia
| | - Elissa Z. Cameron
- School of Natural Sciences, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Australia,School of Biological Sciences, University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand
| | - Douglas H. Kerlin
- Environmental Futures Research Institute, Griffith University, Nathan, Australia
| | - Hamish McCallum
- Environmental Futures Research Institute, Griffith University, Nathan, Australia
| | - Andrew Storfer
- School of Biological Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, USA
| | | | - Rodrigo K. Hamede
- School of Natural Sciences, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Australia,CANECEV, Centre de Recherches Ecologiques et Evolutives sur le Cancer (CREEC), Montpellier 34090, France,e-mail:
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16
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Kwon YM, Gori K, Park N, Potts N, Swift K, Wang J, Stammnitz MR, Cannell N, Baez-Ortega A, Comte S, Fox S, Harmsen C, Huxtable S, Jones M, Kreiss A, Lawrence C, Lazenby B, Peck S, Pye R, Woods G, Zimmermann M, Wedge DC, Pemberton D, Stratton MR, Hamede R, Murchison EP. Evolution and lineage dynamics of a transmissible cancer in Tasmanian devils. PLoS Biol 2020; 18:e3000926. [PMID: 33232318 PMCID: PMC7685465 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.3000926] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2020] [Accepted: 10/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Devil facial tumour 1 (DFT1) is a transmissible cancer clone endangering the Tasmanian devil. The expansion of DFT1 across Tasmania has been documented, but little is known of its evolutionary history. We analysed genomes of 648 DFT1 tumours collected throughout the disease range between 2003 and 2018. DFT1 diverged early into five clades, three spreading widely and two failing to persist. One clade has replaced others at several sites, and rates of DFT1 coinfection are high. DFT1 gradually accumulates copy number variants (CNVs), and its telomere lengths are short but constant. Recurrent CNVs reveal genes under positive selection, sites of genome instability, and repeated loss of a small derived chromosome. Cultured DFT1 cell lines have increased CNV frequency and undergo highly reproducible convergent evolution. Overall, DFT1 is a remarkably stable lineage whose genome illustrates how cancer cells adapt to diverse environments and persist in a parasitic niche.
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Affiliation(s)
- Young Mi Kwon
- Transmissible Cancer Group, Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Kevin Gori
- Transmissible Cancer Group, Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Naomi Park
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Hinxton, United Kingdom
| | - Nicole Potts
- Transmissible Cancer Group, Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Kate Swift
- Mount Pleasant Laboratories, Tasmanian Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and the Environment (DPIPWE), Prospect, Tasmania, Australia
| | - Jinhong Wang
- Transmissible Cancer Group, Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Maximilian R. Stammnitz
- Transmissible Cancer Group, Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Naomi Cannell
- Transmissible Cancer Group, Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Adrian Baez-Ortega
- Transmissible Cancer Group, Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Sebastien Comte
- School of Natural Sciences, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
- Vertebrate Pest Research Unit, NSW Department of Primary Industries, Orange, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Samantha Fox
- Tasmanian Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and the Environment (DPIPWE), Save the Tasmanian Devil Program, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
- Toledo Zoo, Toledo, Ohio, United States of America
| | - Colette Harmsen
- Mount Pleasant Laboratories, Tasmanian Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and the Environment (DPIPWE), Prospect, Tasmania, Australia
| | - Stewart Huxtable
- Tasmanian Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and the Environment (DPIPWE), Save the Tasmanian Devil Program, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
| | - Menna Jones
- School of Natural Sciences, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
| | - Alexandre Kreiss
- Menzies Institute, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
| | - Clare Lawrence
- Tasmanian Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and the Environment (DPIPWE), Save the Tasmanian Devil Program, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
| | - Billie Lazenby
- Tasmanian Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and the Environment (DPIPWE), Save the Tasmanian Devil Program, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
| | - Sarah Peck
- Tasmanian Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and the Environment (DPIPWE), Save the Tasmanian Devil Program, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
| | - Ruth Pye
- Menzies Institute, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
| | - Gregory Woods
- Menzies Institute, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
| | - Mona Zimmermann
- Transmissible Cancer Group, Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - David C. Wedge
- Oxford Big Data Institute, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - David Pemberton
- Tasmanian Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and the Environment (DPIPWE), Save the Tasmanian Devil Program, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
| | | | - Rodrigo Hamede
- School of Natural Sciences, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
- CANECEV, Centre de Recherches Ecologiques et Evolutives sur le Cancer, Montpellier, France
| | - Elizabeth P. Murchison
- Transmissible Cancer Group, Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
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17
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Hamede R, Owen R, Siddle H, Peck S, Jones M, Dujon AM, Giraudeau M, Roche B, Ujvari B, Thomas F. The ecology and evolution of wildlife cancers: Applications for management and conservation. Evol Appl 2020; 13:1719-1732. [PMID: 32821279 PMCID: PMC7428810 DOI: 10.1111/eva.12948] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2019] [Revised: 02/23/2020] [Accepted: 02/28/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Ecological and evolutionary concepts have been widely adopted to understand host-pathogen dynamics, and more recently, integrated into wildlife disease management. Cancer is a ubiquitous disease that affects most metazoan species; however, the role of oncogenic phenomena in eco-evolutionary processes and its implications for wildlife management and conservation remains undeveloped. Despite the pervasive nature of cancer across taxa, our ability to detect its occurrence, progression and prevalence in wildlife populations is constrained due to logistic and diagnostic limitations, which suggests that most cancers in the wild are unreported and understudied. Nevertheless, an increasing number of virus-associated and directly transmissible cancers in terrestrial and aquatic environments have been detected. Furthermore, anthropogenic activities and sudden environmental changes are increasingly associated with cancer incidence in wildlife. This highlights the need to upscale surveillance efforts, collection of critical data and developing novel approaches for studying the emergence and evolution of cancers in the wild. Here, we discuss the relevance of malignant cells as important agents of selection and offer a holistic framework to understand the interplay of ecological, epidemiological and evolutionary dynamics of cancer in wildlife. We use a directly transmissible cancer (devil facial tumour disease) as a model system to reveal the potential evolutionary dynamics and broader ecological effects of cancer epidemics in wildlife. We provide further examples of tumour-host interactions and trade-offs that may lead to changes in life histories, and epidemiological and population dynamics. Within this framework, we explore immunological strategies at the individual level as well as transgenerational adaptations at the population level. Then, we highlight the need to integrate multiple disciplines to undertake comparative cancer research at the human-domestic-wildlife interface and their environments. Finally, we suggest strategies for screening cancer incidence in wildlife and discuss how to integrate ecological and evolutionary concepts in the management of current and future cancer epizootics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rodrigo Hamede
- School of Natural SciencesUniversity of TasmaniaHobartTas.Australia
- Centre for Integrative EcologySchool of Life and Environmental SciencesDeakin UniversityVic.Australia
| | - Rachel Owen
- Centre for Biological SciencesUniversity of SouthamptonSouthamptonUK
| | - Hannah Siddle
- Centre for Biological SciencesUniversity of SouthamptonSouthamptonUK
| | - Sarah Peck
- Wildlife Veterinarian, Veterinary Register of TasmaniaSouth HobartTas.Australia
| | - Menna Jones
- School of Natural SciencesUniversity of TasmaniaHobartTas.Australia
| | - Antoine M. Dujon
- Centre for Integrative EcologySchool of Life and Environmental SciencesDeakin UniversityVic.Australia
| | - Mathieu Giraudeau
- Centre de Recherches Ecologiques et Evolutives sur le Cancer/Centre de Recherches en Ecologie et Evolution de la SantéUnité Mixte de RecherchesInstitut de Recherches pour le Développement 224‐Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique 5290‐Université de MontpellierMontpellierFrance
| | - Benjamin Roche
- Centre de Recherches Ecologiques et Evolutives sur le Cancer/Centre de Recherches en Ecologie et Evolution de la SantéUnité Mixte de RecherchesInstitut de Recherches pour le Développement 224‐Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique 5290‐Université de MontpellierMontpellierFrance
| | - Beata Ujvari
- School of Natural SciencesUniversity of TasmaniaHobartTas.Australia
- Centre for Integrative EcologySchool of Life and Environmental SciencesDeakin UniversityVic.Australia
| | - Frédéric Thomas
- Centre de Recherches Ecologiques et Evolutives sur le Cancer/Centre de Recherches en Ecologie et Evolution de la SantéUnité Mixte de RecherchesInstitut de Recherches pour le Développement 224‐Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique 5290‐Université de MontpellierMontpellierFrance
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18
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Dujon AM, Gatenby RA, Bramwell G, MacDonald N, Dohrmann E, Raven N, Schultz A, Hamede R, Gérard AL, Giraudeau M, Thomas F, Ujvari B. Transmissible Cancers in an Evolutionary Perspective. iScience 2020; 23:101269. [PMID: 32592998 PMCID: PMC7327844 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2020.101269] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2020] [Revised: 05/02/2020] [Accepted: 06/08/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Inter-individual transmission of cancer cells represents an intriguing and unexplored host-pathogen system, with significant ecological and evolutionary ramifications. The pathogen consists of clonal malignant cell lines that spread horizontally as allografts and/or xenografts. Although only nine transmissible cancer lineages in eight host species from both terrestrial and marine environments have been investigated, they exhibit evolutionary dynamics that may provide novel insights into tumor-host interactions particularly in the formation of metastases. Here we present an overview of known transmissible cancers, discuss the necessary and sufficient conditions for cancer transmission, and provide a comprehensive review on the evolutionary dynamics between transmissible cancers and their hosts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antoine M Dujon
- Deakin University, Geelong, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Centre for Integrative Ecology, Waurn Ponds, Vic 3216, Australia
| | - Robert A Gatenby
- Department of Radiology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, Tampa, FL 33612, USA
| | - Georgina Bramwell
- Deakin University, Geelong, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Centre for Integrative Ecology, Waurn Ponds, Vic 3216, Australia
| | - Nick MacDonald
- Deakin University, Geelong, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Centre for Integrative Ecology, Waurn Ponds, Vic 3216, Australia
| | - Erin Dohrmann
- Deakin University, Geelong, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Centre for Integrative Ecology, Waurn Ponds, Vic 3216, Australia
| | - Nynke Raven
- Deakin University, Geelong, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Centre for Integrative Ecology, Waurn Ponds, Vic 3216, Australia
| | - Aaron Schultz
- Deakin University, Geelong, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Centre for Integrative Ecology, Waurn Ponds, Vic 3216, Australia
| | - Rodrigo Hamede
- School of Natural Sciences, University of Tasmania, Private Bag 55, Hobart, TAS 7001, Australia
| | - Anne-Lise Gérard
- CREEC, UMR IRD 224-CNRS 5290-Université de Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Mathieu Giraudeau
- CREEC, UMR IRD 224-CNRS 5290-Université de Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Frédéric Thomas
- CREEC, UMR IRD 224-CNRS 5290-Université de Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Beata Ujvari
- Deakin University, Geelong, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Centre for Integrative Ecology, Waurn Ponds, Vic 3216, Australia; School of Natural Sciences, University of Tasmania, Private Bag 55, Hobart, TAS 7001, Australia.
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19
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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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20
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Bell O, Jones ME, Ruiz‐Aravena M, Hamede RK, Bearhop S, McDonald RA. Age-related variation in the trophic characteristics of a marsupial carnivore, the Tasmanian devil Sarcophilus harrisii. Ecol Evol 2020; 10:7861-7871. [PMID: 32760570 PMCID: PMC7391331 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.6513] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2020] [Revised: 05/21/2020] [Accepted: 05/26/2020] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Age-related changes in diet have implications for competitive interactions and for predator-prey dynamics, affecting individuals and groups at different life stages. To quantify patterns of variation and ontogenetic change in the diets of Tasmanian devils Sarcophilus harrisii, a threatened marsupial carnivore, we analyzed variation in the stable isotope composition of whisker tissue samples taken from 91 individual devils from Wilmot, Tasmania from December 2014 to February 2017. Both δ13C and δ15N decreased with increasing age in weaned Tasmanian devils, indicating that as they age devils rely less on small mammals and birds, and more on large herbivores. Devils <12 months old had broader group isotopic niches, as estimated by Bayesian standard ellipses (SEAB mode = 1.042) than devils from 12 to 23 months old (mode = 0.541) and devils ≥24 months old (mode = 0.532). Devils <24 months old had broader individual isotopic niches (SEAB mode range 0.492-1.083) than devils ≥24 months old (mode range 0.092-0.240). A decrease in δ15N from the older whisker sections to the more recently grown sections in devils <24 months old likely reflects the period of weaning in this species, as this pattern was not observed in devils ≥24 months old. Our data reveal changes in the isotopic composition of devil whiskers with increasing age, accompanied by a reduction in isotopic variation both among population age classes and within individuals, reflecting the effect of weaning in early life, and a likely shift from an initially diverse diet of small mammals, birds, and invertebrates towards increasing consumption of larger herbivores in adulthood.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olivia Bell
- Environment and Sustainability InstituteUniversity of ExeterPenrynUK
| | - Menna E. Jones
- School of Natural SciencesUniversity of TasmaniaHobartTas.Australia
| | - Manuel Ruiz‐Aravena
- School of Natural SciencesUniversity of TasmaniaHobartTas.Australia
- Department of Microbiology and ImmunologyMontana State UniversityBozemanMTUSA
| | | | - Stuart Bearhop
- Centre for Ecology and ConservationUniversity of ExeterPenrynUK
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21
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Patton AH, Margres MJ, Stahlke AR, Hendricks S, Lewallen K, Hamede RK, Ruiz-Aravena M, Ryder O, McCallum HI, Jones ME, Hohenlohe PA, Storfer A. Contemporary Demographic Reconstruction Methods Are Robust to Genome Assembly Quality: A Case Study in Tasmanian Devils. Mol Biol Evol 2020; 36:2906-2921. [PMID: 31424552 PMCID: PMC6878949 DOI: 10.1093/molbev/msz191] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Reconstructing species’ demographic histories is a central focus of molecular ecology and evolution. Recently, an expanding suite of methods leveraging either the sequentially Markovian coalescent (SMC) or the site-frequency spectrum has been developed to reconstruct population size histories from genomic sequence data. However, few studies have investigated the robustness of these methods to genome assemblies of varying quality. In this study, we first present an improved genome assembly for the Tasmanian devil using the Chicago library method. Compared with the original reference genome, our new assembly reduces the number of scaffolds (from 35,975 to 10,010) and increases the scaffold N90 (from 0.101 to 2.164 Mb). Second, we assess the performance of four contemporary genomic methods for inferring population size history (PSMC, MSMC, SMC++, Stairway Plot), using the two devil genome assemblies as well as simulated, artificially fragmented genomes that approximate the hypothesized demographic history of Tasmanian devils. We demonstrate that each method is robust to assembly quality, producing similar estimates of Ne when simulated genomes were fragmented into up to 5,000 scaffolds. Overall, methods reliant on the SMC are most reliable between ∼300 generations before present (gbp) and 100 kgbp, whereas methods exclusively reliant on the site-frequency spectrum are most reliable between the present and 30 gbp. Our results suggest that when used in concert, genomic methods for reconstructing species’ effective population size histories 1) can be applied to nonmodel organisms without highly contiguous reference genomes, and 2) are capable of detecting independently documented effects of historical geological events.
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Affiliation(s)
- Austin H Patton
- School of Biological Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, WA
| | - Mark J Margres
- School of Biological Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, WA.,Department of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology, Harvard University, MA
| | - Amanda R Stahlke
- Institute for Bioinformatics and Evolutionary Studies, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID
| | - Sarah Hendricks
- Institute for Bioinformatics and Evolutionary Studies, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID
| | - Kevin Lewallen
- Institute for Bioinformatics and Evolutionary Studies, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID
| | - Rodrigo K Hamede
- School of Natural Sciences, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Australia
| | | | - Oliver Ryder
- Institute for Conservation Research, San Diego, CA
| | | | - Menna E Jones
- School of Natural Sciences, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Australia
| | - Paul A Hohenlohe
- Institute for Bioinformatics and Evolutionary Studies, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID
| | - Andrew Storfer
- School of Biological Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, WA
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22
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Abstract
AbstractAlthough there is a plethora of cancer associated-factors that can ultimately culminate in death (cachexia, organ impairment, metastases, opportunistic infections, etc.), the focal element of every terminal malignancy is the failure of our natural defences to control unlimited cell proliferation. The reasons why our defences apparently lack efficiency is a complex question, potentially indicating that, under Darwinian terms, solutions other than preventing cancer progression are also important contributors. In analogy with host-parasite systems, we propose to call this latter option ‘tolerance’ to cancer. Here, we argue that the ubiquity of oncogenic processes among metazoans is at least partially attributable to both the limitations of resistance mechanisms and to the evolution of tolerance to cancer. Deciphering the ecological contexts of alternative responses to the cancer burden is not a semantic question, but rather a focal point in understanding the evolutionary ecology of host-tumour relationships, the evolution of our defences, as well as why and when certain cancers are likely to be detrimental for survival.
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23
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Fraik AK, Quackenbush C, Margres MJ, Comte S, Hamilton DG, Kozakiewicz CP, Jones M, Hamede R, Hohenlohe PA, Storfer A, Kelley JL. Transcriptomics of Tasmanian Devil ( Sarcophilus Harrisii) Ear Tissue Reveals Homogeneous Gene Expression Patterns across a Heterogeneous Landscape. Genes (Basel) 2019; 10:E801. [PMID: 31614864 PMCID: PMC6826840 DOI: 10.3390/genes10100801] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2019] [Revised: 10/03/2019] [Accepted: 10/08/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
In an era of unprecedented global change, exploring patterns of gene expression among wild populations across their geographic range is crucial for characterizing adaptive potential. RNA-sequencing studies have successfully characterized gene expression differences among populations experiencing divergent environmental conditions in a wide variety of taxa. However, few of these studies have identified transcriptomic signatures to multivariate, environmental stimuli among populations in their natural environments. Herein, we aim to identify environmental and sex-driven patterns of gene expression in the Tasmanian devil (Sarcophilus harrisii), a critically endangered species that occupies a heterogeneous environment. We performed RNA-sequencing on ear tissue biopsies from adult male and female devils from three populations at the extremes of their geographic range. There were no transcriptome-wide patterns of differential gene expression that would be suggestive of significant, environmentally-driven transcriptomic responses. The general lack of transcriptome-wide variation in gene expression levels across the devil's geographic range is consistent with previous studies that documented low levels of genetic variation in the species. However, genes previously implicated in local adaptation to abiotic environment in devils were enriched for differentially expressed genes. Additionally, three modules of co-expressed genes were significantly associated with either population of origin or sex.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra K Fraik
- School of Biological Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164, USA.
| | - Corey Quackenbush
- School of Biological Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164, USA.
| | - Mark J Margres
- School of Biological Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164, USA.
- Department of Biological Sciences, Clemson University, Clemson, SC 29634, USA.
| | - Sebastien Comte
- School of Natural Sciences, Hobart, TAS 7001, Australia.
- Vertebrate Pest Research Unit, NSW Department of Primary Industries, 1447 Forest Road, Orange, NSW 2800, Australia.
| | | | | | - Menna Jones
- School of Natural Sciences, Hobart, TAS 7001, Australia.
| | - Rodrigo Hamede
- School of Natural Sciences, Hobart, TAS 7001, Australia.
| | - Paul A Hohenlohe
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Idaho, Institute for Bioinformatics and Evolutionary Studies, University of Idaho, 875 Perimeter Drive, Moscow, ID 83844, USA.
| | - Andrew Storfer
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Idaho, Institute for Bioinformatics and Evolutionary Studies, University of Idaho, 875 Perimeter Drive, Moscow, ID 83844, USA.
| | - Joanna L Kelley
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Idaho, Institute for Bioinformatics and Evolutionary Studies, University of Idaho, 875 Perimeter Drive, Moscow, ID 83844, USA.
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24
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James S, Jennings G, Kwon YM, Stammnitz M, Fraik A, Storfer A, Comte S, Pemberton D, Fox S, Brown B, Pye R, Woods G, Lyons B, Hohenlohe PA, McCallum H, Siddle H, Thomas F, Ujvari B, Murchison EP, Jones M, Hamede R. Tracing the rise of malignant cell lines: Distribution, epidemiology and evolutionary interactions of two transmissible cancers in Tasmanian devils. Evol Appl 2019; 12:1772-1780. [PMID: 31548856 PMCID: PMC6752152 DOI: 10.1111/eva.12831] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2019] [Revised: 05/24/2019] [Accepted: 05/26/2019] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Emerging infectious diseases are rising globally and understanding host-pathogen interactions during the initial stages of disease emergence is essential for assessing potential evolutionary dynamics and designing novel management strategies. Tasmanian devils (Sarcophilus harrisii) are endangered due to a transmissible cancer-devil facial tumour disease (DFTD)-that since its emergence in the 1990s, has affected most populations throughout Tasmania. Recent studies suggest that devils are adapting to the DFTD epidemic and that disease-induced extinction is unlikely. However, in 2014, a second and independently evolved transmissible cancer-devil facial tumour 2 (DFT2)-was discovered at the d'Entrecasteaux peninsula, in south-east Tasmania, suggesting that the species is prone to transmissible cancers. To date, there is little information about the distribution, epidemiology and effects of DFT2 and its interaction with DFTD. Here, we use data from monitoring surveys and roadkills found within and adjacent to the d'Entrecasteaux peninsula to determine the distribution of both cancers and to compare their epidemiological patterns. Since 2012, a total of 51 DFTD tumours have been confirmed among 26 individuals inside the peninsula and its surroundings, while 40 DFT2 tumours have been confirmed among 23 individuals, and two individuals co-infected with both tumours. All devils with DFT2 were found within the d'Entrecasteaux peninsula, suggesting that this new transmissible cancer is geographically confined to this area. We found significant differences in tumour bodily location in DFTD and DFT2, with non-facial tumours more commonly found in DFT2. There was a significant sex bias in DFT2, with most cases reported in males, suggesting that since DFT2 originated from a male host, females might be less susceptible to this cancer. We discuss the implications of our results for understanding the epidemiological and evolutionary interactions of these two contemporary transmissible cancers and evaluating the effectiveness of potential management strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samantha James
- School of Natural SciencesUniversity of TasmaniaHobartTasmaniaAustralia
| | - Geordie Jennings
- School of Natural SciencesUniversity of TasmaniaHobartTasmaniaAustralia
| | - Young Mi Kwon
- Department of Veterinary MedicineUniversity of CambridgeCambridgeUK
| | | | - Alexandra Fraik
- School of Biological SciencesWashington State UniversityPullmanWashingtonUSA
| | - Andrew Storfer
- School of Biological SciencesWashington State UniversityPullmanWashingtonUSA
| | - Sebastien Comte
- School of Natural SciencesUniversity of TasmaniaHobartTasmaniaAustralia
| | - David Pemberton
- Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and the Environment (DPIPWE)HobartTasmaniaAustralia
| | - Samantha Fox
- Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and the Environment (DPIPWE)HobartTasmaniaAustralia
| | - Bill Brown
- Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and the Environment (DPIPWE)HobartTasmaniaAustralia
| | - Ruth Pye
- Menzies Institute for Medical ResearchUniversity of TasmaniaHobartTasmaniaAustralia
| | - Gregory Woods
- Menzies Institute for Medical ResearchUniversity of TasmaniaHobartTasmaniaAustralia
| | - Bruce Lyons
- Menzies Institute for Medical ResearchUniversity of TasmaniaHobartTasmaniaAustralia
| | - Paul A. Hohenlohe
- Department of Biological Sciences, Institute for Bioinformatics and Evolutionary StudiesUniversity of IdahoMoscowIdahoUSA
| | - Hamish McCallum
- School of Environment and ScienceGriffith UniversityNathanQueenslandAustralia
| | - Hannah Siddle
- Centre for Biological SciencesUniversity of SouthamptonSouthamptonUK
| | - Frédéric Thomas
- Centre for Ecological and Evolutionary Research on CancerMontpellierFrance
| | - Beata Ujvari
- Centre for Integrative Ecology, School of Life and Environmental SciencesDeakin UniversityDeakinVictoriaAustralia
| | | | - Menna Jones
- School of Natural SciencesUniversity of TasmaniaHobartTasmaniaAustralia
| | - Rodrigo Hamede
- School of Natural SciencesUniversity of TasmaniaHobartTasmaniaAustralia
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25
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Lemaître J, Pavard S, Giraudeau M, Vincze O, Jennings G, Hamede R, Ujvari B, Thomas F. Eco‐evolutionary perspectives of the dynamic relationships linking senescence and cancer. Funct Ecol 2019. [DOI: 10.1111/1365-2435.13394] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jean‐François Lemaître
- Université de Lyon, F‐69000, Lyon; Université Lyon 1; CNRS, UMR5558 Laboratoire de Biométrie et Biologie Évolutive F‐69622 Villeurbanne France
| | - Samuel Pavard
- Unité Eco-anthropologie (EA), Muséum National d’Histoire Naturelle, CNRS 7206 Université Paris Diderot Paris France
| | | | - Orsolya Vincze
- Hungarian Department of Biology and Ecology, Evolutionary Ecology Group Babeş‐Bolyai University Cluj‐Napoca Romania
- Department of Tisza Research MTA Centre for Ecological Research Debrecen Hungary
| | - Geordie Jennings
- Centre for Integrative Ecology, School of Life and Environmental Sciences Deakin University Waurn Ponds Victoria Australia
- School of Natural Sciences University of Tasmania Hobart Tasmania Australia
| | - Rodrigo Hamede
- Centre for Integrative Ecology, School of Life and Environmental Sciences Deakin University Waurn Ponds Victoria Australia
- School of Natural Sciences University of Tasmania Hobart Tasmania Australia
| | - Beata Ujvari
- Centre for Integrative Ecology, School of Life and Environmental Sciences Deakin University Waurn Ponds Victoria Australia
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26
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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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27
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Ruiz-Aravena M, Jones ME, Carver S, Estay S, Espejo C, Storfer A, Hamede RK. Sex bias in ability to cope with cancer: Tasmanian devils and facial tumour disease. Proc Biol Sci 2018; 285:rspb.2018.2239. [PMID: 30464069 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2018.2239] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2018] [Accepted: 11/01/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Knowledge of the ecological dynamics between hosts and pathogens during the initial stages of disease emergence is crucial to understanding the potential for evolution of new interspecific interactions. Tasmanian devil (Sarcophilus harrisii) populations have declined precipitously owing to infection by a transmissible cancer (devil facial tumour disease, DFTD) that emerged approximately 20 years ago. Since the emergence of DFTD, and as the disease spreads across Tasmania, the number of devils has dropped up to 90% across 80% of the species's distributional range. As a result, the disease is expected to act as a strong selective force on hosts to develop mechanisms of tolerance and/or resistance to the infection. We assessed the ability of infected devils to cope with infection, which translates into host tolerance to the cancer, by using the reaction norm of the individual body condition by tumour burden. We found that body condition of infected hosts is negatively affected by cancer progression. Males and females presented significant differences in their tolerance levels to infection, with males suffering declines of up to 25% of their body condition, in contrast to less than 5% in females. Sex-related differences in tolerance to cancer progression may select for changes in life-history strategies of the host and could also alter the selective environment for the tumours.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Menna E Jones
- School of Natural Sciences, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Australia
| | - Scott Carver
- School of Natural Sciences, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Australia
| | - Sergio Estay
- Instituto de Ciencias Ambientales y Evolutivas, Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia, Chile.,Center of Applied Ecology and Sustainability, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Camila Espejo
- School of Medicine, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Australia
| | - Andrew Storfer
- School of Biological Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, USA
| | - Rodrigo K Hamede
- School of Natural Sciences, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Australia
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