Use of IgY Antibodies in Human and Veterinary Medicine

Impact of Dietary Egg Yolk IgY Powder on Behavior, Meat Quality, Physiology, and Intestinal Escherichia coli Colonization of Broiler Chicks

The current study investigated the impact of different concentrations of purified egg yolk immunoglobulin Y (IgY) supplemental food on the growth performance, behaviors, cecal contents of Escherichia coli, and the meat quality of broiler chicks. Four dietary groups were given to 180 female Ross broiler chicks at random (n = 45 for each). The control group was fed a standard diet only, whereas the other three experimental groups were fed the same basic diet supplemented with 1,500, 3,000, and 4,000 μg/ml IgY for a duration of 42 days. Significant greater behavioral activities, including, feeding, drinking, and dust bathing (p < 0.05), in the birds fed 4,000 μg/ml of IgY compared to the control group were observed. Greater weight gains of the crop, proventriculus, gizzard, and intestine (p < 0.05) were observed for broiler chicks fed 4,000 μg/ml of IgY when compared to the control group. After 3 weeks of feeding, the groups fed 3,000 and 4,000 μg/ml IgY had significant lower E. coli counts in the muscle and cecal contents (p < 0.05) when compared to the control group. Moreover, dietary supplementation with 4,000 μg/ml IgY in the third week and 3,000 μg/ml IgY in the sixth week resulted in greater weight gain (p < 0.01) when compared to the control group. Also, at week 3, chicks fed 4,000 μg/ml of IgY had a lower feed conversion ratio (FCR) when compared to the control group (p < 0.05). At week 6, chicks fed 3,000 μg/ml of IgY had lower FCR than the control (p < 0.05). The circulating heterophile/lymphocyte ratio was simply altered in birds fed variable IgY concentrations (1,500, 3,000, and 4,000 μg/ml), with no significant differences compared to the control group due to the individual resistance of each bird to physiological stress. The addition of 4,000 μg/ml IgY to the diet enhanced the nutritive value of meat, including protein, fat, and ash content (p < 0.05). Our study concluded that dietary supplementation of 3,000 and/or 4,000 μg/ml IgY improved the growth rates, behavioral activities, intestinal health indices, and meat quality of broiler chicks.

Multi-functional magnetic molecular imprinting probe for visual detection of IgY antibodies

Egg yolk antibodies (IgY) are an alternative to mammalian antibodies, which have been successfully applied in treatment of disease, as immunochemical reagents and as food additives. A fast, accurate, and easy-to-operate detection method for IgY antibodies is needed. Herein, we developed a rapid and cost-effective colorimetric assay for the ultrasensitive detection of anti-S. aureus IgY antibodies using multi-functional magnetic molecularly imprinted polymers (MMIPs). The prepared MMIPs can recognize, adsorb, and separate the analyte from the matrix efficiently, and oxidize TMB to generate a colorimetric signal within ~ 60 min. As low as 0.013 mg·mL-1 was able to be detected by using this method. The visual detection limit reached 0.02 mg·mL-1. By testing the IgY in milk samples, the feasibility was verified.

Tecnología IgY: Estrategia en el tratamiento de enfermedades infecciosas humanas

La aparición de microorganismos resistentes a antibióticos, el descubrimiento de nuevos agentes patógenos con potencial pandémico y el aumento de una población inmunocomprometida han dejado casi obsoleta la terapia antimicrobiana, terapia comúnmente usada para tratar enfermedades infecciosas. Por otro lado, las investigaciones acerca del uso del anticuerpo IgY para desarrollar inmunidad pasiva han demostrado el potencial que tiene la tecnología IgY para tratar enfermedades infecciosas víricas y bacterianas. Donde los anticuerpos IgY de aves se destacan por su alta especificidad, rendimiento y escalabilidad de producción a menor costo, con relación a los anticuerpos IgG de mamíferos. El objetivo de esta revisión es determinar la importancia del uso de los anticuerpos IgY como tratamiento terapéutico y profiláctico frente a los patógenos causantes de infecciones virales y bacterianas en humanos, mediante la recopilación de ensayos clínicos, productos comerciales y patentes registradas en el período de 2010-2021. Finalmente, con este estudio se estableció que la tecnología IgY es una herramienta biotecnológica versátil y eficaz para tratar y prevenir enfermedades infecciosas, al reducir los síntomas y la carga del patógeno.

Canine Parvovirus is diagnosed and neutralized by chicken IgY-scFv generated against the virus capsid protein

Canine parvovirus (CPV) can cause acute and highly contagious bloody enteritis in dog. To obtain antibodies against CPV, hens were immunized with virus-like particles (VLP) of CPV-VP2. The IgY single chain fragment variables (scFv) were generated by T7 phage display system and expressed in E. coli system. The titer of the primary scFv library reached to 1.5 × 106 pfu/mL, and 95% of the phages contained the target fragments. The CPV-VLP and CPV-VP2 protein showed similar reaction values to the purified scFv in the ELISA test, and the results of ELISA analysis using IgY-scFv toward CPV clinical samples were consistent with commercial immunochromatographic assay (ICA) and PCR detection, the scFv did not show cross reactivity with canine distemper virus (CDV) and canine coronavirus (CCV). IgY-scFv was successfully expressed in CRFK cells, and in the virus suppression assay, 55% of CPV infections were eliminated within 24 h. Docking results demonstrated that the number of amino acids of the binding sides between scFv and VP2 were AA37 and AA40, respectively. This study revealed the feasibility of a novel functional antibody fragment development strategy by generating diversified avian IgY-scFv libraries towards the pathogenic target of interest for both detection and therapeutic purposes in veterinary medicine.

The Impact of Probiotics and Egg Yolk IgY on Behavior and Blood Parameters in a Broiler Immune Stress Model

Feed additives are used frequently in variable combinations to maximize broiler productivity and consumer safety. Therefore, we evaluated the efficiency of feed additives used in four different diets: a basal diet, a probiotic (PRO-PAC^®) supplement diet, an egg yolk purified immunoglobulin Y (IgY) supplemented diet, and a combination of IgY and PRO-PAC^® supplement (n = 15 for each group). We assessed the improvement of behavioral and hematological parameters of Ross broilers before and after an immune stress challenge using lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Behavioral as well as physiological parameters were analyzed. The standing frequency was the highest (P < 0.05) in broilers supplemented with a combination of probiotics and IgY. Likewise, latency approach score to a novel object improved (P < 0.01) in the combination group at week-3. After intraperitoneal injection of LPS, this combination group achieved the best gait score at week-3, followed by week-5, compared to birds fed the basal diet. The heterophil/lymphocyte (H/L) ratio, heterophil differential count, and eosinophil differential count in the basal diet group that was challenged with LPS were significantly increased (P < 0.01, P < 0.001, P < 0.05, respectively) compared to the combination groups. Therefore, we concluded that the combination of IgY and probiotics can significantly improve the behavior and the underlying physiological parameters of Ross broilers. Consequently, this combination can improve the broilers′ health, welfare and produce a safe meat free from harmful chemical residues.

Generation and evaluation of anti-mouse IgG IgY as secondary antibody

In order to evaluate the possibility of using IgY as the secondary antibody in immunoassay, specific IgY (1: 128,000) was generated by immunizing hens with mouse serum IgG purified by protein A column. IgY was extracted from egg yolk by polyethylene glycol 6000 (PEG-6000), and further purified using protein M affinity chromatography column. The purified IgY was conjugated with horseradish peroxidase (HRP) and fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC), in that order. The reactivity of conjugated antibodies was evaluated by ELISA, Western blot and Immunofluorescence, demonstrating that the obtained IgY was able to conjugate with enzymes, react with mouse primary IgG antibody, and subsequently amplify the antigen-antibody signals in different immune reaction conditions, in a comparable secondary effect to conventional goat anti-mouse IgG antibody. The obtained conjugated antibodies showed high stability in broad pH ranges (4-10; >70%) and high thermostability at 37 °C for 84 h (>85%). Despite the need to further consider and evaluate the industrial standardization and production process, our data provided the primary evidence that conjugated IgY antibodies can be used as a secondary antibody for broad immunological analysis.

Production and characterization of a conserved M2e peptide-based specific IgY antibody: evaluation of the diagnostic potential via conjugation with latex nanoparticles

Antibodies play an important role in combating and controlling viral diseases such as influenza. Immunoglobulin Y (IgY) antibodies have several advantages such as a less invasive manufacturing process, ease of isolation, higher affinity compared with IgG antibodies, and cost-effectiveness. To date, although specific IgY production has been performed for different strains of influenza A, to the best of our knowledge, an IgY against the M2e peptide has not been produced. In the current study, IgY antibodies are produced, purified, and characterized using the M2e peptide sequence for the first time with the intent to apply them for the diagnosis of influenza A virus. Anti-M2e IgY antibodies are obtained from eggs using a two-step purification method. The activity and characterization of the antibodies are determined using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, a nano-spectrophotometer, an SDS-Page assay, and a Western Blot analysis. Finally, anti-M2e IgY antibodies are conjugated to the latex nanoparticles, and the reaction between the influenza A virus and the nanoparticles is demonstrated using light microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. In conclusion, this study shows that anti-M2e IgY antibodies can contribute to the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of the influenza A virus.

Monoclonal antibodies: Principles and applications of immmunodiagnosis and immunotherapy for hepatitis C virus

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a major health problem worldwide. Early detection of the infection will help better management of the infected cases. The monoclonal antibodies (mAb) of mice are predominantly used for the immunodiagnosis of several viral, bacterial, and parasitic antigens. Serological detection of HCV antigens and antibodies provide simple and rapid methods of detection but lack sensitivity specially in the window phase between the infection and antibody development. Human mAb are used in the immunotherapy of several blood malignancies, such as lymphoma and leukemia, as well as for autoimmune diseases. In this review article, we will discuss methods of mouse and human monoclonal antibody production. We will demonstrate the role of mouse mAb in the detection of HCV antigens as rapid and sensitive immunodiagnostic assays for the detection of HCV, which is a major health problem throughout the world, particularly in Egypt. We will discuss the value of HCV-neutralizing antibodies and their roles in the immunotherapy of HCV infections and in HCV vaccine development. We will also discuss the different mechanisms by which the virus escape the effect of neutralizing mAb. Finally, we will discuss available and new trends to produce antibodies, such as egg yolk-based antibodies (IgY), production in transgenic plants, and the synthetic antibody mimics approach.

Production of specific IgY Helicobacter pylori recombinant OipA protein and assessment of its inhibitory effects towards attachment of H. pylori to AGS cell line

Purpose

The common triple therapy for Helicobacter pylori is challenged by the increasing cases of antibiotic resistant infections, raising the need to explore alternative therapies. Oral administration of egg yolk immunoglobulin Y (IgY) has been previously reported as a means of passive immunization therapy for H. pylori infections. In this work, we investigated the inhibitory effect of IgY on the attachment of H. pylori to AGS cell line.

Materials and Methods

Recombinant OipA was prepared. Hens were immunized with recombinant protein three times. IgY was purified from egg yolks of immunized hens using polyethylene glycol precipitation method. The inhibitory effect of the specific immunoglobulin was evaluated in AGS cell line infected with H. pylori.

Results

The presence of recombinant OipA (30 kD) was confirmed via sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). Immunization of hens was confirmed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The purified IgY from egg yolks were assessed using SDS-PAGE and confirmed by western blot.

Conclusion

The results showed that IgY-OipA had inhibitory effect on attachment of H. pylori to AGS cell line and may be utilized as a therapeutic or prophylaxis material.

pH-responsive hydrogels to protect IgY from gastric conditions: in vitro evaluation

Oral administration of specific egg yolk immunoglobulin (IgY) is effective against a number of gastrointestinal pathogens. However, the activity of orally administered IgY is reduced rapidly, since IgY is sensitive to pepsin and low pH. In this study, hydrogels containing acrylamide and acrylic acid were synthesized and used to encapsulate IgY. The capacity of these structures to load, protect and release IgY and the interaction between IgY and hydrogels by FTIR spectroscopy were studied. The particle size and swelling percentage of hydrogels were highly dependent on the pH of the buffer solution. As expected, pH-sensitive hydrogels had a high IgY loading percentage (99.2 ± 12.9 mg IgY/mg hydrogel) at pH 7.4. It means that each gel piece incorporated approximately 8.4 ± 1.1 mg IgY. The results showed that the hydrogels could efficiently incorporate IgY and retain it inside the polymer network at pH <2.2. However, IgY was slowly released at basic pH and a high percentage remained inside. The IR spectra show that IgY interacts with the hydrogel in its network with extended hydrogen bonds. The present study demonstrates that hydrogels particles can efficiently incorporate the IgY but cannot show a controlled and sustained release of IgY in simulated intestinal fluid probably due to hydrophobic interactions with the polymer network. The stability of IgY in simulated gastric fluid was greatly improved by encapsulation in hydrogels. This approach provides information about a novelty method for delivery of IgY for the prevention and control of enteric diseases.

Preparation of artificial antigen and egg yolk-derived immunoglobulin (IgY) of florfenicol amine for ELISA assay

To investigate the feasibility of IgY technology for the immune detection of haptens, a specific egg yolk antibody (IgY) has been developed in order to detect the florfenicol amine (FFA) residues. FFA was conjugated to bovine serum albumin (BSA) by glutaraldehyde (GA) and the conjugate was used to immunize laying chickens. Anti-FFA IgY antibody was purified by PEG-6000 precipitation and identified by SDS-PAGE. The titer of anti-FFA IgY antibody reached a peak of 1:128,000 after three booster injections. Checkerboard titration showed that a 1:800 dilution of anti-FFA IgY could give an optical density (OD) at around 1.0 at 10 μg/mL FFA-OVA coating concentration. An indirect competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (icELISA) using specific anti-FFA IgY showed that the IC50 value of anti-FFA IgY was 12.30 ng/mL and the regression curve equation was y = -13.71x + 64.95 (R (2) = 0.945). The strategy of developing anti-hapten IgY antibody is that it may be further used as a new reagent for an immunoassay of hapten residues.

Oral passive IgY-based immunotherapeutics: a novel solution for prevention and treatment of alimentary tract diseases

This commentary summarizes the laboratory investigations and clinical trials published recently involving per-oral application of IgY supplemented food for specific orogastrointestinal disease prevention and control purposes. The prolonged use and misuse of conventional antibacterial drugs has spawned antibiotic resistant microbes prompting scientists to search for other germ-killing options. In particular, the use of IgY as a novel mode of immunotherapy using oral chicken immunoglobulin (IgY) to confer passive immunity has gained much interest as an inexpensive non-antibiotic alternative for the prophylaxis and treatment of a wide variety of infectious diseases. The stability of IgY in the orogastrointestinal tract and its safety profile has been well-documented. IgY has been used in the treatment or prevention of dental caries, periodontitis and gingivitis, gastritis and gastric ulcer, oral thrush and infant rotavirus diarrhea. The recent clinical trials on IgY with encouraging results has catapulted into the market novel nutraceutical or health supplements for therapeutic or prophylactic intervention based on the consumption of mono-specific or mixed IgY formulations. With recent trends in consumer preference for natural materials to alleviate health concerns, the increasing healthcare costs and the recent advances in drug delivery systems, IgY is likely to shift from its mainly functional food status toward pharmaceuticalization in the foreseeable future.

Production and Characterization of Egg Yolk Antibodies (Igy) against Two Specific Spoilage Organisms (SSO) in Aquatic Products

Using whole cells as antigens, specific egg yolk antibodies (IgY) were generated respectively against Shewanella putrefaciens and Pseudomonas fluorescens, two important spoilage bacteria in aquatic products. The obtained IgY exhibited a high and specific affinity to corresponding antigen bacteria. A concentration-dependent antimicrobial activity of the specific IgY was observed in liquid medium. Compared to control groups, the cell number of S. putrefaciens and P. fluorescens was reduced approximately 84.7% and 88.1%, respectively, in the presence of specific IgY (contain salts) at a concentration of 200 mg/mL after 8 h of incubation. Similar growth inhibitory effects were also observed in solid medium, in which the inhibition ratio was calculated as 52.8% and 62.5% for S. putrefaciens and P. fluorescens, respectively, in the presence of specific IgY at a concentration of 100 mg/mL. These results indicated a great potential of specific IgY as a safe and natural antimicrobial agent for aquatic food preservations.