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The newly-arisen Devil facial tumour disease 2 (DFT2) reveals a mechanism for the emergence of a contagious cancer.

Published version
Peer-reviewed

Type

Article

Change log

Authors

Tovar, Cesar 
Stammnitz, Maximilian R  ORCID logo  https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1704-9199
Kwon, Young Mi 

Abstract

Devil Facial Tumour 2 (DFT2) is a recently discovered contagious cancer circulating in the Tasmanian devil (Sarcophilus harrisii), a species which already harbours a more widespread contagious cancer, Devil Facial Tumour 1 (DFT1). Here we show that in contrast to DFT1, DFT2 cells express major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I molecules, demonstrating that loss of MHC is not necessary for the emergence of a contagious cancer. However, the most highly expressed MHC class I alleles in DFT2 cells are common among host devils or non-polymorphic, reducing immunogenicity in a population sharing these alleles. In parallel, MHC class I loss is emerging in vivo, thus DFT2 may be mimicking the evolutionary trajectory of DFT1. Based on these results we propose that contagious cancers may exploit partial histocompatibility between the tumour and host, but that loss of allogeneic antigens could facilitate widespread transmission of DFT2.

Description

Keywords

MHC, Sarcophilus harrisii, cancer biology, contagious cancer, immune escape, immunology, inflammation, Alleles, Animals, Biological Evolution, Facial Neoplasms, Histocompatibility Antigens Class I, Marsupialia

Journal Title

Elife

Conference Name

Journal ISSN

2050-084X
2050-084X

Volume Title

7

Publisher

eLife Sciences Publications, Ltd
Sponsorship
Wellcome Trust (102942/Z/13/Z)