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Rothenberg SE, Beechler BR, Burco JD, Rae S, Steingass SM, Barton D, Johns JL, Russell DS, Deignan K, Blackledge MM, Nation A. Associations between urogenital carcinoma and DECA-BDE (BDE-209) among wild California Sea lions (Zalophus californianus) and Steller Sea lions (Eumetopias jubatus). THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 900:166412. [PMID: 37611708 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.166412] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2023] [Revised: 08/15/2023] [Accepted: 08/16/2023] [Indexed: 08/25/2023]
Abstract
Urogenital carcinoma (UGC) is prevalent among California sea lions (Zalophus californianus), while less is known concerning UGC among Steller sea lions (Eumetopias jubatus). Our objective was to investigate associations between UGC and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) among both sea lion species. Twenty-nine California sea lions and 20 Steller sea lions were lethally removed from the Columbia River Basin, Oregon, USA between 2020 and 2021, under Section 120 of the Marine Mammal Protection Act. UGC was diagnosed through gross necropsy and histopathology. Forty PBDE congeners were analyzed in blubber, including BDE-209, a potential carcinogen. Twenty (69 %) California sea lions and one (5 %) Steller sea lion were diagnosed with UGC. All cases were identified as early stage UGC, aside from one California sea lion with more advanced stage UGC. Among California sea lions, associations between PBDEs and UGC were analyzed using logistic regression. In the adjusted model, BDE-209 (log2-transformed) was associated with increased odds of UGC [Odds Ratio (OR): 4.68, 95 % confidence interval: 1.04, 21.0, OR p-value = 0.044). This is the first study to report BDE-209 concentrations in sea lion blubber. The percentages of California and Steller sea lions diagnosed with UGC were higher than expected for wild (non-stranded) sea lions. Our results suggested blubber BDE-209 was potentially associated with UGC in California sea lions in the Columbia River Basin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah E Rothenberg
- Oregon State University, College of Public Health and Human Sciences, Corvallis, OR 97331, United States.
| | - Brianna R Beechler
- Oregon State University, Carlson College of Veterinary Medicine, Corvallis, OR 97331, United States.
| | - Julia D Burco
- Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, Corvallis, OR 97330, United States.
| | - Samantha Rae
- Oregon State University, Carlson College of Veterinary Medicine, Corvallis, OR 97331, United States.
| | - Sheanna M Steingass
- Oregon State University, College of Agricultural Sciences, Corvallis, OR 97331, United States.
| | - Dianne Barton
- Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission, Portland, OR 97232, United States.
| | - Jennifer L Johns
- Oregon State University, Carlson College of Veterinary Medicine, Corvallis, OR 97331, United States.
| | - Duncan S Russell
- Oregon State University, Carlson College of Veterinary Medicine, Corvallis, OR 97331, United States.
| | - Kristen Deignan
- Oregon State University, Carlson College of Veterinary Medicine, Corvallis, OR 97331, United States.
| | - Megan M Blackledge
- Oregon State University, College of Science, Corvallis, OR 97331, United States.
| | - Autumn Nation
- Oregon State University, Carlson College of Veterinary Medicine, Corvallis, OR 97331, United States.
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2
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Takami Y, Tanaka M, Morita M, Maruno T, Anai N, Sudo T, Kezuka C, Izawa T, Yamate J, Kuwamura M. Pleural mesothelioma in a California sea lion (Zalophus californianus). J Vet Med Sci 2023; 85:1030-1033. [PMID: 37532588 PMCID: PMC10539812 DOI: 10.1292/jvms.22-0457] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/04/2023] Open
Abstract
A 25-year-old female California sea lion (Zalophus californianus) reared in an aquarium died following a history of anorexia, lethargy, abnormal protrusion of the skin, and oral respiration. At necropsy, multiple yellowish-white nodules with diameters of 0.1-0.5 cm were disseminated in the thoracic cavity and lungs. Histopathologically, the nodules were continuous with normal mesothelium and were characterized by the proliferation of spindle-shaped to polygonal neoplastic cells with prominent atypia. The neoplastic cells exhibited diffuse, strong staining for vimentin and partial, weak to moderate staining for cytokeratin AE1/AE3. Based on these findings, the lesions were diagnosed as pleural mesothelioma. This study reports the first case of pleural mesothelioma in California sea lion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuki Takami
- Laboratory of Veterinary Pathology, Osaka Metropolitan University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Miyuu Tanaka
- Laboratory of Veterinary Pathology, Osaka Metropolitan University, Osaka, Japan
| | | | - Takaya Maruno
- Katsurahama Aquarium, Inside Katsurahama Park, Kochi, Japan
| | - Naohiro Anai
- Katsurahama Aquarium, Inside Katsurahama Park, Kochi, Japan
| | | | | | - Takeshi Izawa
- Laboratory of Veterinary Pathology, Osaka Metropolitan University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Jyoji Yamate
- Laboratory of Veterinary Pathology, Osaka Metropolitan University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Mitsuru Kuwamura
- Laboratory of Veterinary Pathology, Osaka Metropolitan University, Osaka, Japan
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Pereida-Aguilar JC, Barragán-Vargas C, Domínguez-Sánchez C, Álvarez-Martínez RC, Acevedo-Whitehouse K. Bacterial dysbiosis and epithelial status of the California sea lion (Zalophus californianus) in the Gulf of California. INFECTION, GENETICS AND EVOLUTION : JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR EPIDEMIOLOGY AND EVOLUTIONARY GENETICS IN INFECTIOUS DISEASES 2023; 113:105474. [PMID: 37356747 DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2023.105474] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2023] [Revised: 06/11/2023] [Accepted: 06/22/2023] [Indexed: 06/27/2023]
Abstract
Despite the high incidence of urogenital carcinoma (UGC) in California sea lions stranded along California, no UGC has been reported in other areas of their distribution; however, cell morphologies typical of premalignant states have been found. Risk factors for UGC include high of organochlorines and infection with a gammaherpesvirus, OtHV-1, but the importance of the bacteriome for epithelial status remains unknown. We characterized the genital bacteriome of adult female California sea lions along their distribution in the Gulf of California and examined whether the diversity and abundance of the bacteriome varied spatially, whether there were detectable differences in the bacteriome between healthy and altered epithelia, and whether the bacteriome was different in California sea lions infected with OtHV-1 or papillomavirus. We detected 2270 ASVs in the genital samples, of which 35 met the criteria for inclusion in the core bacteriome. Fusobacteriia and Clostridia were present in all samples, at high abundances, and Actinobacteria, Alphaproteobacteria, and Campylobacteria were also well-represented. Alpha diversity and abundance of the California sea lion genital bacteriome varied geographically. The abundance of bacterial ASVs varied depending on the genital epithelial status and inflammation, with differences driven by classes Fusobacteriia, Clostridia, Campylobacteria and Alphaproteobacteria. Alpha diversity and abundance were lowest in samples in which OtHV-1 was detected, and highest those with papillomavirus. Our study is the first investigation of how the bacteriome is related to epithelial status in a wild marine species prone to developing cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan Carlos Pereida-Aguilar
- Unit for Basic and Applied Microbiology, School of Natural Sciences, Autonomous University of Queretaro, Santiago de Queretaro 76146, Mexico
| | - Cecilia Barragán-Vargas
- Unit for Basic and Applied Microbiology, School of Natural Sciences, Autonomous University of Queretaro, Santiago de Queretaro 76146, Mexico
| | - Carlos Domínguez-Sánchez
- Unit for Basic and Applied Microbiology, School of Natural Sciences, Autonomous University of Queretaro, Santiago de Queretaro 76146, Mexico
| | - Roberto Carlos Álvarez-Martínez
- Unit for Basic and Applied Microbiology, School of Natural Sciences, Autonomous University of Queretaro, Santiago de Queretaro 76146, Mexico
| | - Karina Acevedo-Whitehouse
- Unit for Basic and Applied Microbiology, School of Natural Sciences, Autonomous University of Queretaro, Santiago de Queretaro 76146, Mexico.
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4
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Hendricks SA, King JL, Duncan CL, Vickers W, Hohenlohe PA, Davis BW. Genomic Assessment of Cancer Susceptibility in the Threatened Catalina Island Fox ( Urocyon littoralis catalinae). Genes (Basel) 2022; 13:1496. [PMID: 36011407 PMCID: PMC9408614 DOI: 10.3390/genes13081496] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2022] [Revised: 08/12/2022] [Accepted: 08/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Small effective population sizes raise the probability of extinction by increasing the frequency of potentially deleterious alleles and reducing fitness. However, the extent to which cancers play a role in the fitness reduction of genetically depauperate wildlife populations is unknown. Santa Catalina island foxes (Urocyon littoralis catalinae) sampled in 2007-2008 have a high prevalence of ceruminous gland tumors, which was not detected in the population prior to a recent bottleneck caused by a canine distemper epidemic. The disease appears to be associated with inflammation from chronic ear mite (Otodectes) infections and secondary elevated levels of Staphyloccus pseudointermedius bacterial infections. However, no other environmental factors to date have been found to be associated with elevated cancer risk in this population. Here, we used whole genome sequencing of the case and control individuals from two islands to identify candidate loci associated with cancer based on genetic divergence, nucleotide diversity, allele frequency spectrum, and runs of homozygosity. We identified several candidate loci based on genomic signatures and putative gene functions, suggesting that cancer susceptibility in this population may be polygenic. Due to the efforts of a recovery program and weak fitness effects of late-onset disease, the population size has increased, which may allow selection to be more effective in removing these presumably slightly deleterious alleles. Long-term monitoring of the disease alleles, as well as overall genetic diversity, will provide crucial information for the long-term persistence of this threatened population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah A. Hendricks
- Institute for Interdisciplinary Data Sciences, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID 83844, USA
| | - Julie L. King
- Catalina Island Conservancy, P.O. Box 2739, Avalon, CA 90704, USA
| | - Calvin L. Duncan
- Catalina Island Conservancy, P.O. Box 2739, Avalon, CA 90704, USA
| | - Winston Vickers
- Institute for Wildlife Studies, Arcata, CA 95521, USA
- Karen C. Drayer Wildlife Health Center, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Paul A. Hohenlohe
- Institute for Interdisciplinary Data Sciences, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID 83844, USA
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID 83844, USA
| | - Brian W. Davis
- Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Science, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77840, USA
- Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Science, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77840, USA
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Deming AC, Wellehan JFX, Colegrove KM, Hall A, Luff J, Lowenstine L, Duignan P, Cortés-Hinojosa G, Gulland FMD. Unlocking the Role of a Genital Herpesvirus, Otarine Herpesvirus 1, in California Sea Lion Cervical Cancer. Animals (Basel) 2021; 11:491. [PMID: 33668446 PMCID: PMC7918579 DOI: 10.3390/ani11020491] [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: 12/11/2020] [Revised: 02/02/2021] [Accepted: 02/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Urogenital carcinoma in California sea lions (Zalophus californianus) is the most common cancer of marine mammals. Primary tumors occur in the cervix, vagina, penis, or prepuce and aggressively metastasize resulting in death. This cancer has been strongly associated with a sexually transmitted herpesvirus, otarine herpesvirus 1 (OtHV1), but the virus has been detected in genital tracts of sea lions without cancer and a causative link has not been established. To determine if OtHV1 has a role in causing urogenital carcinoma we sequenced the viral genome, quantified viral load from cervical tissue from sea lions with (n = 95) and without (n = 163) urogenital carcinoma, and measured viral mRNA expression using in situ mRNA hybridization (Basescope®) to quantify and identify the location of OtHV1 mRNA expression. Of the 95 sea lions diagnosed with urogenital carcinoma, 100% were qPCR positive for OtHV1, and 36% of the sea lions with a normal cervix were positive for the virus. The non-cancer OtHV1 positive cases had significantly lower viral loads in their cervix compared to the cervices from sea lions with urogenital carcinoma. The OtHV1 genome had several genes similar to the known oncogenes, and RNA in situ hybridization demonstrated high OtHV1 mRNA expression within the carcinoma lesions but not in normal cervical epithelium. The high viral loads, high mRNA expression of OtHV1 in the cervical tumors, and the presence of suspected OtHV1 oncogenes support the hypothesis that OtHV1 plays a significant role in the development of sea lion urogenital carcinoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alissa C. Deming
- The Pacific Mammal Center, Laguna Beach, CA 92651, USA
- Aquatic Animal Health and Comparative, Diagnostic and Population Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32608, USA; (J.F.X.W.); (G.C.-H.)
- Veterinary Sciences, The Marine Mammal Center, Sausalito, CA 94965, USA; (P.D.); (F.M.D.G.)
| | - James F. X. Wellehan
- Aquatic Animal Health and Comparative, Diagnostic and Population Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32608, USA; (J.F.X.W.); (G.C.-H.)
| | - Kathleen M. Colegrove
- Zoological Pathology Program, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Brookfield, IL 60513, USA;
| | - Ailsa Hall
- Sea Mammal Research Unit, Scottish Oceans Institute, School of Biology, University of St. Andrews, St. Andrews KY16 9AJ, UK;
| | - Jennifer Luff
- Population Health and Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27606, USA;
| | - Linda Lowenstine
- Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology and Karen C. Drayer Wildlife Health Center, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California Davis, Davis, CA 95616, USA;
| | - Pádraig Duignan
- Veterinary Sciences, The Marine Mammal Center, Sausalito, CA 94965, USA; (P.D.); (F.M.D.G.)
| | - Galaxia Cortés-Hinojosa
- Aquatic Animal Health and Comparative, Diagnostic and Population Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32608, USA; (J.F.X.W.); (G.C.-H.)
- Current address: School of Veterinary Medicine, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Avenida Vicuña Mackenna 4860, Santiago 7820436, Chile
| | - Frances M. D. Gulland
- Veterinary Sciences, The Marine Mammal Center, Sausalito, CA 94965, USA; (P.D.); (F.M.D.G.)
- Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology and Karen C. Drayer Wildlife Health Center, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California Davis, Davis, CA 95616, USA;
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6
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Pinhal MAS, Melo CM, Nader HB. The Good and Bad Sides of Heparanase-1 and Heparanase-2. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2020; 1221:821-845. [PMID: 32274740 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-34521-1_36] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/17/2023]
Abstract
In this chapter, we will emphasize the importance of heparan sulfate proteoglycans (HSPG) in controlling various physiological and pathological molecular mechanisms and discuss how the heparanase enzyme can modulate the effects triggered by HSPG. Additionally, we will also navigate about the existing knowledge of the possible role of heparanase-2 in biological events. Heparan sulfate is widely distributed and evolutionarily conserved, evidencing its vital importance in cell development and functions such as cell proliferation, migration, adhesion, differentiation, and angiogenesis. During remodeling of the extracellular matrix, the breakdown of heparan sulfate by heparanase results in the release of molecules containing anchored glycosaminoglycan chains of great interest in heparanase-mediated cell signaling pathways in various physiological states, tumor development, inflammation, and other diseases. Taken together, it appears that heparanase plays a key role in the maintenance of the pathology of cancer and inflammatory diseases and is a potential target for anti-cancer therapies. Therefore, heparanase inhibitors are currently being examined in clinical trials as novel cancer therapeutics. Heparanase-2 has no enzymatic activity, displays higher affinity for heparan sulfate and the coding region alignment shows 40% identity with the heparanase gene. Heparanase-2 plays an important role in embryogenic development however its mode of action and biological function remain to be elucidated. Heparanase-2 functions as an inhibitor of the heparanase-1 enzyme and also inhibits neovascularization mediated by VEGF. The HPSE2 gene is repressed by the Polycomb complex, together suggesting a role as a tumor suppressor.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Carina Mucciolo Melo
- Biochemistry Department, Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Helena Bonciani Nader
- Biochemistry Department, Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
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7
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Ujvari B, Klaassen M, Raven N, Russell T, Vittecoq M, Hamede R, Thomas F, Madsen T. Genetic diversity, inbreeding and cancer. Proc Biol Sci 2019; 285:rspb.2017.2589. [PMID: 29563261 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2017.2589] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2017] [Accepted: 02/28/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Genetic diversity is essential for adaptive capacities, providing organisms with the potential of successfully responding to intrinsic and extrinsic challenges. Although a clear reciprocal link between genetic diversity and resistance to parasites and pathogens has been established across taxa, the impact of loss of genetic diversity by inbreeding on the emergence and progression of non-communicable diseases, such as cancer, has been overlooked. Here we provide an overview of such associations and show that low genetic diversity and inbreeding associate with an increased risk of cancer in both humans and animals. Cancer being a multifaceted disease, loss of genetic diversity can directly (via accumulation of oncogenic homozygous mutations) and indirectly (via increased susceptibility to oncogenic pathogens) impact abnormal cell emergence and escape of immune surveillance. The observed link between reduced genetic diversity and cancer in wildlife may further imperil the long-term survival of numerous endangered species, highlighting the need to consider the impact of cancer in conservation biology. Finally, the somewhat incongruent data originating from human studies suggest that the association between genetic diversity and cancer development is multifactorial and may be tumour specific. Further studies are therefore crucial in order to elucidate the underpinnings of the interactions between genetic diversity, inbreeding and cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beata Ujvari
- Centre for Integrative Ecology, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Deakin University, Waurn Ponds, Victoria 3216, Australia.,School of Biological Sciences, University of Tasmania, Private Bag 55, Hobart, Tasmania 7001, Australia
| | - Marcel Klaassen
- Centre for Integrative Ecology, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Deakin University, Waurn Ponds, Victoria 3216, Australia
| | - Nynke Raven
- Centre for Integrative Ecology, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Deakin University, Waurn Ponds, Victoria 3216, Australia
| | - Tracey Russell
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales 2006, Australia
| | - Marion Vittecoq
- Institut de Recherche de la Tour du Valat, le Sambuc, 13200 Arles, France
| | - Rodrigo Hamede
- Centre for Integrative Ecology, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Deakin University, Waurn Ponds, Victoria 3216, Australia.,School of Biological Sciences, University of Tasmania, Private Bag 55, Hobart, Tasmania 7001, Australia
| | - Frédéric Thomas
- CREEC/MIVEGEC, UMR IRD/CNRS/UM 5290, 911 Avenue Agropolis, BP 64501, 34394 Montpellier Cedex 5, France
| | - Thomas Madsen
- Centre for Integrative Ecology, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Deakin University, Waurn Ponds, Victoria 3216, Australia .,School of Biological Sciences, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, New South Wales 2522, Australia
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8
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Peñín I, Figueroa-Cabañas ME, Guerrero-de la Rosa F, Soto-García LA, Álvarez-Martínez R, Flores-Morán A, Acevedo-Whitehouse K. Transcriptional Profiles of California Sea Lion Peripheral NK and CD +8 T Cells Reflect Ecological Regionalization and Infection by Oncogenic Viruses. Front Immunol 2019; 10:413. [PMID: 30915075 PMCID: PMC6422979 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2019.00413] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2018] [Accepted: 02/15/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The California sea lion is one of the few wild mammals prone to develop cancer, particularly urogenital carcinoma (UGC), whose prevalence is currently estimated at 25% of dead adult sea lions stranded along the California coastline. Genetic factors, viruses and organochlorines have been identified as factors that increase the risk of occurrence of this pathology. Given that no cases of UGC have as yet been reported for the species along its distribution in Mexican waters, the potential relevance of contaminants for the development of urogenital carcinoma is highlighted even more as blubber levels of organochlorines are more than two orders of magnitude lower in the Gulf of California and Mexican Pacific than in California. In vitro studies have shown that organochlorines can modulate anti-viral and tumor-surveillance activities of NK and cytotoxic T-cells of marine mammals, but little is known about the activity of these effectors in live, free-living sea lions. Here, we examine leukocyte transcriptional profiles of free-ranging adult California sea lions for eight genes (Eomes, Granzyme B, Perforin, Ly49, STAT1, Tbx21, GATA3, and FoxP3) selected for their key role in anti-viral and tumor-surveillance, and investigate patterns of transcription that could be indicative of differences in ecological variables and exposure to two oncogenic viruses: sea lion type one gammaherpesvirus (OtHV-1) and sea lion papillomavirus type 1 (ZcPV-1) and systemic inflammation. We observed regional differences in the expression of genes related to Th1 responses and immune modulation, and detected clear patterns of differential regulation of gene expression in sea lions infected by genital papillomavirus compared to those infected by genital gammaherpesvirus or for simultaneous infections, similar to what is known about herpesvirus and papillomavirus infections in humans. Our study is a first approach to profile the transcriptional patterns of key immune effectors of free-ranging California sea lions and their association with ecological regions and oncogenic viruses. The observed results add insight to our understanding of immune competence of marine mammals, and may help elucidate the marked difference in the number of cases of urogenital carcinoma in sea lions from US waters and other areas of their distribution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ignacio Peñín
- Unit for Basic and Applied Microbiology, School of Natural Sciences, Autonomous University of Queretaro, Santiago de Queretaro, Mexico
| | - Mónica E Figueroa-Cabañas
- Unit for Basic and Applied Microbiology, School of Natural Sciences, Autonomous University of Queretaro, Santiago de Queretaro, Mexico
| | - Fabiola Guerrero-de la Rosa
- Unit for Basic and Applied Microbiology, School of Natural Sciences, Autonomous University of Queretaro, Santiago de Queretaro, Mexico
| | - Luis A Soto-García
- Unit for Basic and Applied Microbiology, School of Natural Sciences, Autonomous University of Queretaro, Santiago de Queretaro, Mexico
| | - Roberto Álvarez-Martínez
- Unit for Basic and Applied Microbiology, School of Natural Sciences, Autonomous University of Queretaro, Santiago de Queretaro, Mexico
| | - Adriana Flores-Morán
- Unit for Basic and Applied Microbiology, School of Natural Sciences, Autonomous University of Queretaro, Santiago de Queretaro, Mexico
| | - Karina Acevedo-Whitehouse
- Unit for Basic and Applied Microbiology, School of Natural Sciences, Autonomous University of Queretaro, Santiago de Queretaro, Mexico.,The Marine Mammal Center, Sausalito, CA, United States
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9
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Abstract
Cancer is ubiquitous in wildlife, affecting animals from bivalves to pachyderms and cetaceans. Reports of increasing frequency demonstrate that neoplasia is associated with substantial mortality in wildlife species. Anthropogenic activities and global weather changes are shaping new geographical limitations for many species, and alterations in living niches are associated with visible examples of genetic bottlenecks, toxin exposures, oncogenic pathogens, stress and immunosuppression, which can all contribute to cancers in wild species. Nations that devote resources to monitoring the health of wildlife often do so for human-centric reasons, including for the prediction of the potential for zoonotic disease, shared contaminants, chemicals and medications, and for observing the effect of exposure from crowding and loss of habitat. Given the increasing human footprint on land and in the sea, wildlife conservation should also become a more important motivating factor. Greater attention to the patterns of the emergence of wildlife cancer is imperative because growing numbers of species are existing at the interface between humans and the environment, making wildlife sentinels for both animal and human health. Therefore, monitoring wildlife cancers could offer interesting and novel insights into potentially unique non-age-related mechanisms of carcinogenesis across species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patricia A Pesavento
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA, USA.
| | - Dalen Agnew
- Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, Department of Pathobiology and Diagnostic Investigation, College of Veterinary Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
| | - Michael K Keel
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Kevin D Woolard
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
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10
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Prevalence of Urogenital Carcinoma in Stranded California Sea Lions ( Zalophus californianus) from 2005-15. J Wildl Dis 2018; 54:581-586. [PMID: 29498901 DOI: 10.7589/2017-08-208] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Urogenital carcinoma is common in wild California sea lions ( Zalophus californianus) along the west coast of the US. From 1979 to 1994, this cancer was observed in 18% (66/370) of necropsied subadult and adult sea lions at The Marine Mammal Center in Sausalito, California. A retrospective review of records from 1 January 2005 to 31 December 2015 was performed to characterize prevalence and characteristics of cancer over this decade. Fourteen percent (263/1917) of necropsied sea lions had cancer, of which 90% (237/263) were urogenital carcinoma. The prevalence of urogenital carcinoma was significantly higher in adults compared to juveniles and subadults. Advanced-stage disease with metastases was identified histologically in 78% (182/232) of cases and was the cause of death in 95% (172/182) of these cases. Metastases were most common in lung and lymph nodes, and hydronephrosis, secondary to ureter obstruction by metastases, was identified in 62% (114/185) of animals with advanced disease. No significant temporal change in prevalence was detected over the decade, and this highly aggressive, fatal cancer remains common in stranded California sea lions.
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11
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Ní Leathlobhair M, Gulland FMD, Murchison EP. No evidence for clonal transmission of urogenital carcinoma in California sea lions ( Zalophus californianus). Wellcome Open Res 2017; 2:46. [PMID: 28948233 PMCID: PMC5527528 DOI: 10.12688/wellcomeopenres.11483.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/01/2017] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Urogenital carcinoma is a highly metastatic cancer affecting California sea lions (
Zalophus californianus). The disease has high prevalence amongst stranded animals, and is one of the most commonly observed cancers in wildlife. The genital localisation of primary tumours suggests the possibility that coital transmission of an infectious agent could underlie this disease. Otarine herpesvirus type 1 has been associated with lesions, however a causative role for this virus has not been confirmed. We investigated the possibility that urogenital carcinoma might be clonally transmissible, spread by the direct transfer of cancer cells. Analysis of sequences at the mitochondrial DNA control region in seven matched tumour and host pairs confirmed that tumour genotypes were identical to those of their matched hosts and did not show similarity with tumours from other individuals. Thus our findings suggest that urogenital carcinoma in California sea lions is not clonally transmitted, but rather arises from transformed host cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Máire Ní Leathlobhair
- Transmissible Cancer Group, Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB3 0ES, UK
| | | | - Elizabeth P Murchison
- Transmissible Cancer Group, Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB3 0ES, UK
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Hochberg ME, Noble RJ. A framework for how environment contributes to cancer risk. Ecol Lett 2017; 20:117-134. [DOI: 10.1111/ele.12726] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2016] [Revised: 10/03/2016] [Accepted: 12/01/2016] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Michael E. Hochberg
- Intstitut des Sciences de l'Evolution de Montpellier; Université de Montpellier; Place E. Bataillon, CC065 34095 Montpellier Cedex 5 France
- Santa Fe Institute; 1399 Hyde Park Rd. Santa Fe NM 87501 USA
| | - Robert J. Noble
- Intstitut des Sciences de l'Evolution de Montpellier; Université de Montpellier; Place E. Bataillon, CC065 34095 Montpellier Cedex 5 France
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Browning HM, Gulland FMD, Hammond JA, Colegrove KM, Hall AJ. Common cancer in a wild animal: the California sea lion (Zalophus californianus) as an emerging model for carcinogenesis. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2016; 370:rstb.2014.0228. [PMID: 26056370 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2014.0228] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Naturally occurring cancers in non-laboratory species have great potential in helping to decipher the often complex causes of neoplasia. Wild animal models could add substantially to our understanding of carcinogenesis, particularly of genetic and environmental interactions, but they are currently underutilized. Studying neoplasia in wild animals is difficult and especially challenging in marine mammals owing to their inaccessibility, lack of exposure history, and ethical, logistical and legal limits on experimentation. Despite this, California sea lions (Zalophus californianus) offer an opportunity to investigate risk factors for neoplasia development that have implications for terrestrial mammals and humans who share much of their environment and diet. A relatively accessible California sea lion population on the west coast of the USA has a high prevalence of urogenital carcinoma and is regularly sampled during veterinary care in wildlife rehabilitation centres. Collaborative studies have revealed that genotype, persistent organic pollutants and a herpesvirus are all associated with this cancer. This paper reviews research to date on the epidemiology and pathogenesis of urogenital carcinoma in this species, and presents the California sea lion as an important and currently underexploited wild animal model of carcinogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helen M Browning
- Sea Mammal Research Unit, Scottish Oceans Institute, University of St Andrews, St Andrews KY16 8LB, UK
| | | | | | - Kathleen M Colegrove
- Zoological Pathology Program, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Maywood, IL 60153, USA
| | - Ailsa J Hall
- Sea Mammal Research Unit, Scottish Oceans Institute, University of St Andrews, St Andrews KY16 8LB, UK
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Blanchong JA, Robinson SJ, Samuel MD, Foster JT. Application of genetics and genomics to wildlife epidemiology. J Wildl Manage 2016. [DOI: 10.1002/jwmg.1064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Julie A. Blanchong
- Department of Natural Resource Ecology and Management; Iowa State University; 339 Science II Ames IA 50011 USA
| | | | - Michael D. Samuel
- U.S. Geological Survey, Wisconsin Cooperative Wildlife Research Unit; University of Wisconsin; 204 Russell Labs, 1630 Linden Dr. Madison WI 53706 USA
| | - Jeffrey T. Foster
- Department of Molecular, Cellular and Biomedical Sciences; University of New Hampshire; 291 Rudman Hall Durham NH 03824 USA
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Barragán-Vargas C, Montano-Frías J, Ávila Rosales G, Godínez-Reyes CR, Acevedo-Whitehouse K. Transformation of the genital epithelial tract occurs early in California sea lion development. ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE 2016; 3:150419. [PMID: 27069641 PMCID: PMC4821252 DOI: 10.1098/rsos.150419] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2015] [Accepted: 02/12/2016] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
An unusually high prevalence of metastatic urogenital carcinoma has been observed in free-ranging California sea lions stranded off the coast of California in the past two decades. No cases have been reported for sea lions in the relatively unpolluted Gulf of California. We investigated occurrence of genital epithelial transformation in 60 sea lions (n=57 pups and 3 adult females) from the Gulf of California and examined whether infection by a viral pathogen previously found to be associated with urogenital carcinoma accounted for such alterations. We also explored the contribution of MHC class II gene expression on transformation. Cellular alterations, such as squamous cell atypia (ASC), atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASCUS) and low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions were observed in 42% of the pups and in 67% of the adult females. Normal genital epithelium was more common in male than female pups. ASC was five times more likely to occur in older pups. Epithelial alterations were unrelated to infection by the potentially oncogenic otarine type I gammaherpesvirus (OtHV-1), but ASCUS was more common in pups with marked and severe inflammation. Expression of MHC class II DRB loci (Zaca DRB-D) by peripheral antigen-presenting leucocytes showed a slightly 'protective' effect for ASC. We propose that transformation of the California sea lion genital epithelium is relatively common in young animals, increases with age and is probably the result of infection by an unidentified pathogen. Expression of a specific MHC class II gene, suggestive of presentation of specific antigenic peptides to immune effectors, appears to lower the risk of transformation. Our study provides the first evidence that epithelial transformation of the California sea lion genital tract is relatively common, even from an early age, and raises questions regarding differences in sea lion cancer-detection and -repair success between geographical regions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cecilia Barragán-Vargas
- Unit for Basic and Applied Microbiology, School of Natural Sciences, Autonomous University of Queretaro, Avenida de las Ciencias S/N, Queretaro 76230, Mexico
| | - Jorge Montano-Frías
- Unit for Basic and Applied Microbiology, School of Natural Sciences, Autonomous University of Queretaro, Avenida de las Ciencias S/N, Queretaro 76230, Mexico
| | - Germán Ávila Rosales
- Department of Pathology, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, Queretaro 76000, Mexico
| | - Carlos R. Godínez-Reyes
- Cabo Pulmo National Park, Comisión Nacional de Áreas Naturales Protegidas, SEMARNAT, La Ribera, BCS, Mexico
| | - Karina Acevedo-Whitehouse
- Unit for Basic and Applied Microbiology, School of Natural Sciences, Autonomous University of Queretaro, Avenida de las Ciencias S/N, Queretaro 76230, Mexico
- The Marine Mammal Center, 2000 Bunker Road, Sausalito, CA 94965, USA
- Sea Lion Cancer Consortium. http://www.smru.st-andrews.ac.uk/slicc
- Author for correspondence: Karina Acevedo-Whitehouse e-mail:
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Vickers TW, Clifford DL, Garcelon DK, King JL, Duncan CL, Gaffney PM, Boyce WM. Pathology and Epidemiology of Ceruminous Gland Tumors among Endangered Santa Catalina Island Foxes (Urocyon littoralis catalinae) in the Channel Islands, USA. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0143211. [PMID: 26618759 PMCID: PMC4664485 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0143211] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2015] [Accepted: 11/02/2015] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
In this study, we examined the prevalence, pathology, and epidemiology of tumors in free-ranging island foxes occurring on three islands in the California Channel Islands, USA. We found a remarkably high prevalence of ceruminous gland tumors in endangered foxes (Urocyon littoralis catalinae) occurring on Santa Catalina Island (SCA)—48.9% of the dead foxes examined from 2001–2008 had tumors in their ears, and tumors were found in 52.2% of randomly-selected mature (≥ 4 years) foxes captured in 2007–2008, representing one of the highest prevalences of tumors ever documented in a wildlife population. In contrast, no tumors were detected in foxes from San Nicolas Island or San Clemente Island, although ear mites (Otodectes cynotis), a predisposing factor for ceruminous gland tumors in dogs and cats, were highly prevalent on all three islands. On SCA, otitis externa secondary to ear mite infection was highly correlated with ceruminous gland hyperplasia (CGH), and tumors were significantly associated with the severity of CGH, ceruminous gland dysplasia, and age group (older foxes). We propose a conceptual model for the formation of ceruminous gland tumors in foxes on SCA that is based on persistent, ubiquitous infection with ear mites, and an innate, over exuberant inflammatory and hyperplastic response of SCA foxes to these mites. Foxes on SCA are now opportunistically treated with acaricides in an attempt to reduce mite infections and the morbidity and mortality associated with this highly prevalent tumor.
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Affiliation(s)
- T. Winston Vickers
- Institute for Wildlife Studies, Arcata, California, United States of America
- Karen C. Drayer Wildlife Health Center, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California Davis, Davis, California, United States of America
- * E-mail: (TWV), (WMB)
| | - Deana L. Clifford
- Karen C. Drayer Wildlife Health Center, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California Davis, Davis, California, United States of America
- Wildlife Investigations Lab, California Department of Fish and Wildlife, Rancho Cordova, California, United States of America
| | - David K. Garcelon
- Institute for Wildlife Studies, Arcata, California, United States of America
| | - Julie L. King
- Catalina Island Conservancy, Avalon, California, United States of America
| | - Calvin L. Duncan
- Catalina Island Conservancy, Avalon, California, United States of America
| | - Patricia M. Gaffney
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California Davis, Davis, California, United States of America
- Departments of Pathology and Medicine, University of California San Diego, San Diego, California, United States of America
| | - Walter M. Boyce
- Karen C. Drayer Wildlife Health Center, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California Davis, Davis, California, United States of America
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California Davis, Davis, California, United States of America
- * E-mail: (TWV), (WMB)
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Lair S, Measures LN, Martineau D. Pathologic Findings and Trends in Mortality in the Beluga (Delphinapterus leucas) Population of the St Lawrence Estuary, Quebec, Canada, From 1983 to 2012. Vet Pathol 2015; 53:22-36. [PMID: 26374277 DOI: 10.1177/0300985815604726] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
An isolated population of beluga (Delphinapterus leucas) inhabits the St Lawrence Estuary, Quebec, Canada. This population has failed to recover despite the prohibition of hunting >30 years ago, suggesting the presence of other limiting factors. The authors summarize the reported causes of death and propose risk factors to explain the lack of recovery of this population. From 1983 to 2012, a total of 472 beluga were found stranded. Complete necropsies were carried out on 222 beluga, including 178 adults, 25 juveniles, and 19 newborn calves. Infectious diseases, the most prevalent cause of mortality in this population, accounted for the death of one-third of all beluga (32%). Verminous pneumonia was the cause of mortality of 13 juvenile beluga (52% of juvenile beluga). A total of 39 malignant neoplasms, diagnosed in 35 beluga, caused the death of 31 beluga (20% of beluga >19 years old). Median age at diagnosis of cancer was 48 years (range, 30-61 years). Dystocia and postpartum complications were the cause of death in 18 beluga, accounting for 19% of the females >19 years old examined. The occurrence of parturition-associated complications, as well as mortality of calves <1 year old, have increased recently in this population and may be the probable cause of the recent decrease in the size of this population. One of the hypotheses proposed to explain the unusually high occurrence of some of the pathologic conditions observed in this population is chronic exposure to environmental contaminants.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Lair
- Centre québécois sur la santé des animaux sauvages / Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative, Département de sciences cliniques, Faculté de médecine vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, St Hyacinthe, Canada
| | - L N Measures
- Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Maurice Lamontagne Institute, Mont-Joli, Canada
| | - D Martineau
- Département de pathologie et microbiologie, Faculté de médecine vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, St Hyacinthe, Canada
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