File(s) under permanent embargo
Immunology of a transmissible cancer spreading among Tasmanian devils
journal contribution
posted on 2023-05-18, 11:52 authored by Gregory WoodsGregory Woods, Howson, LJ, Brown, GK, Cesar Tovar LopezCesar Tovar Lopez, Kreiss, A, Corcoran, LM, Alan LyonsDevil facial tumor disease (DFTD) is a transmissible cancer that has killed most of the Tasmanian devil (Sarcophilus harrissii) population. Since the first case appeared in the mid-1990s, it has spread relentlessly across the Tasmanian devil's geographic range. As Tasmanian devils only exist in Tasmania, Australia, DFTD has the potential to cause extinction of this species. The origin of DFTD was a Schwann cell from a female devil. The disease is transmitted when devils bite each other around the facial areas, a behavior synonymous with this species. Every devil that is 'infected' with DFTD dies from the cancer. Once the DFTD cells have been transmitted, they appear to develop into a cancer without inducing an immune response. The DFTD cancer cells avoid allogeneic recognition because they do not express MHC class I molecules on the cell surface. A reduced genetic diversity and the production of immunosuppressive cytokines may also contribute.
History
Publication title
Journal of ImmunologyVolume
195Pagination
23-29ISSN
0022-1767Department/School
Menzies Institute for Medical ResearchPublisher
Amer Assoc ImmunologistsPlace of publication
9650 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, USA, Md, 20814Rights statement
© 2015 by The American Association of Immunologists, Inc.Repository Status
- Restricted