To better study the molecular alterations of feline BAC, UCLA scientists established the first transplantable nude mice xenograft (Sparky-X) and a feline BAC cell line (Sparky). Sparky-X exhibited the typical alveolar carcinoma growth pattern and induced angiogenesis. RT-PCR analysis of Sparky, showed expression of a retroviral gag transcript that was 90% identical to those expressed by JSRV, the retroviral cause of sheep BAC. Additionally, RT-PCR analysis of human BAC also showed gag expression with 95-100% similarity to its sheep counterpart. Further genetic analysis of the p53 oncogene in Sparky showed a G to T transversion at codon 167, a mutation most commonly associated with smokers. These experimental findings strongly suggest that there is an overlapping pathway of tumorigenesis in felines, sheep and humans that in turn may give rise to a common treatment.

In addition to the study of BAC, Sparky and Sparky-X can also be used to study other shared diseases. For example, toxoplasmosis is a parasitic pathogen commonly found in cats and transmittable to humans. In immuno-comprimised individuals and developing fetus the disease proposes a serious medical threat. To date, the inability to grow the organism in culture has limited the development of a toxoplasmosis vaccine. However, preliminary studies have shown that Sparky allows for the intracellular growth of toxoplasmosis paving the way for the production of a new vaccine.

Reference: UCLA Case No. 1999-549

US Patent No.: 7,220,891