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Ujvari et al 2016 Scientific Reports.pdf (377.01 kB)

Immunoglubolin dynamics and cancer prevalence in Tasmanian devils (Sarcophilus harrisii)

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posted on 2023-05-19, 05:00 authored by Ujvari, B, Rodrigo Hamede RossRodrigo Hamede Ross, Peck, S, Pemberton, D, Menna JonesMenna Jones, Belov, K, Madsen, T
Immunoglobulins such as IgG and IgM have been shown to induce anti-tumour cytotoxic activity. In the present study we therefore explore total serum IgG and IgM expression dynamics in 23 known-aged Tasmanian devils (Sarcophilus harrisii) of which 9 where affected by Devil Facial Tumour Disease (DFTD). DFTD is clonally transmissible cancer that has caused massive declines in devil numbers. Our analyses revealed that IgM and IgG expression levels as well as IgM/IgG ratios decreased with increasing devil age. Neither age, sex, IgM nor IgG expression levels affected devil DFTD status in our analyses. However, devils with increased IgM relative to IgG expression levels had significantly lower DFTD prevalence. Our results therefore suggest that IgM/IgG ratios may play an important role in determining devil susceptibility to DFTD. We consequently propose that our findings warrant further studies to elucidate the underpinning(s) of devil IgM/IgG ratios and DFTD status.

History

Publication title

Scientific Reports

Volume

6

Article number

25093

Number

25093

Pagination

1-5

ISSN

2045-2322

Department/School

School of Natural Sciences

Publisher

Nature Publishing Group

Place of publication

4 Crinan St, London, N1 9XW United Kingdom

Rights statement

Copyright 2016 The Authors. Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Repository Status

  • Open

Socio-economic Objectives

Terrestrial biodiversity

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