News Finding: The study also demonstrates that by reducing p53, DnaK can also reduce the efficacy of anti-cancer drugs.
Paper Finding: Eight animals were injected with nonviable mycoplasma, and none developed lymphoma up to 28 wk of age (see also Materials and Methods).
News Context: The scientists noted that the bacteria can release DnaK and the DnaK enters nearby uninfected cells. The study also demonstrates that by reducing p53, DnaK can also reduce the efficacy of anti-cancer drugs. Thus, mycoplasma infection could not only trigger events leading to the accumulation of DNA damage and oncogenesis in infected cells, but also trigger cancer-causing events in nearby uninfected cells that took up DnaK released from infected neighboring cells.
Paper Context: Seven animals died of wasting within 30 wk after infection, and none of the remaining animals developed lymphoma. Eight animals were injected with nonviable mycoplasma, and none developed lymphoma up to 28 wk of age (see also Materials and Methods). Uninfected spleens showed very little variation in size and were considered as references in comparing the size of spleen from infected animals.