Anti-Pseudomonas aeruginosaIgY antibodies promote bacterial opsonization and augment the phagocytic activity of polymorphonuclear neutrophils

Abstract

Moderation of polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs) as part of a critical defense against invading pathogens may offer a promising therapeutic approach to supplement the antibiotic eradication of Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection in non-chronically infected cystic fibrosis (CF) patients. We have observed that egg yolk antibodies (IgY) harvested from White leghorn chickens that target P. aeruginosa opsonize the pathogen and enhance the PMN-mediated respiratory burst and subsequent bacterial killing in vitro. The effects on PMN phagocytic activity were observed in different Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains, including clinical isolates from non-chronically infected CF patients. Thus, oral prophylaxis with anti-Pseudomonas aeruginosa IgY may boost the innate immunity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa in the CF setting by facilitating a rapid and prompt bacterial clearance by PMNs.

Egg yolk antibodies (IgY) and their applications in human and veterinary health: A review

“…The specific IgY opsonized the bacterium and intensified the cellular immune response, probably due to the recognition of IgY by receptors resembling avian IgY receptors or physical-chemical changes in the bacterium, since IgY does not activate mammalian Fc receptors. Anti-P. aeruginosas IgY could be used in the prophylaxis of P. aeruginosas infection in patients with Cystic fibrosis by increasing the cellular immune response [74].…”

IgY antibodies for the immunoprophylaxis and therapy of respiratory infections

“…104 Passive immunization with IgY could prophylactically augment mucosal IgA immunity, thus increasing the resistance to P. aeruginosa colonization. 105 IgY was found to induce rapid and competent bacterial clearance in a murine pneumonia model. 18 This study found that the pulmonary bacterial load in anti-P. aeruginosa IgYtreated mice was lower than in the controls by more than 2log after 24 hours of infection.…”

“…Dysfunction in this pathway cause excessive bacterial colonization, leading to parenchymal infection that might develop into sepsis. 105 IgY was observed to be more hydrophobic than mammalian IgG. 75 This hydrophobicity helps the Fc portion to be oriented opposite the antigen, exposing it to Fc-receptor interaction.…”

“…The superiority of the prophylactic treatment could have been due to the presence of IgY antibodies in the airways, which prepared the mucosal surface for the opsonophagocytic process and reduced its interaction with the IgY opsonized pathogens. 105 Anti-Pseudomonas IgY was shown to bind the P. aeruginosa protein flagellin, which is the main component of the flagellum and is required for the motility and chemotaxis of the bacteria 106 as well as the invasion and establishment of infection in the host. 107 The activity of anti-Pseudomonas IgY was studied using 2D electrophoresis of P. aeruginosa strains, immunoblotting, and MALDI-TOF-MS.…”

Anti-Lipopolysaccharide egg yolk antibody enhance the phagocytosis of mammalian phagocytes

“…Previous studies have suggested that IgY could enhance the internalization of corresponding pathogenic bacteria. Anti- Pseudomonas aeruginosa IgY antibodies promote specific bacterial aggregation and internalization in polymorphonuclear neutrophils ( Thomsen et al, 2016 ). We wanted to find out whether anti-LPS IgY plays a positive role in the prevention and control of infectious diseases in mammals and humans by enhancing phagocytosis.…”