Devil facial tumour disease (DFTD) is a fatally transmissible cancer that threatens the Tasmanian devil population. As Tasmanian devils do not produce an immune response against DFTD cells, an effective vaccine will require a strong adjuvant. Activation of innate immune system cells through toll-like receptors (TLRs) could provide this stimulation. It is unknown whether marsupials, including Tasmanian devils, express functional TLRs. We isolated RNA from peripheral blood mononuclear cells and, with PCR, detected transcripts for TLRs 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 and 13. Stimulation of the mononuclear cells with agonists to these TLRs increased the expression of downstream TLR signaling products (IL1α, IL6, IL12A and IFNβ). Our data provide the first evidence that TLR signaling is functional in the mononuclear cells of the Tasmanian devil. Future DFTD vaccination trials will incorporate TLR agonists to enhance the immune response against DFTD.

Item Type:	Refereed Article
Research Division:	Medical and Health Sciences
Research Group:	Immunology
Research Field:	Cellular Immunology
Objective Division:	Health
Objective Group:	Clinical Health (Organs, Diseases and Abnormal Conditions)
Objective Field:	Immune System and Allergy
UTAS Author:	Patchett, AL (Dr Amanda Patchett)
UTAS Author:	Latham, R (Mr Roger Latham)
UTAS Author:	Brettingham-Moore, KH (Dr Kate Brettingham-Moore)
UTAS Author:	Tovar, C (Dr Cesar Tovar Lopez)
UTAS Author:	Lyons, AB (Associate Professor Bruce Lyons)
UTAS Author:	Woods, GM (Professor Gregory Woods)
ID Code:	102027
Year Published:	2015
Web of Science® Times Cited:	10
Deposited By:	Menzies Institute for Medical Research
Deposited On:	2015-07-23
Last Modified:	2017-11-07
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