Avian IgY antibodies and their recombinant equivalents in research, diagnostics and therapy

Avian IgY antibodies: characteristics and applications in immunodiagnostic

“…Another important advantage arises from the phylogenetic distance and genetic background that distinguishes birds from mammals improving the likelihood that an immune response will be elicited against antigens or epitopes that may be nonimmunogenic in mammals (SPILLNER et al, 2012). Due to the evolutionary distance between chicken and mammalian immunoglobulins, IgY recognizes more epitopes when the immunogen used is a mammalian protein highly conserved.…”

“…Such interest might, at least partially, be attributed to the genetic diversifi cation which is achieved differently in chickens compared with the complexity of the mammalian mechanisms. In other words, avian species utilize a unique mode of DNA recombination, named gene conversion, resulting in a large and diverse antibody repertoire upon antigen priming (SPILLNER et al, 2012). This could be exemplifi ed by the development of a humanized chicken monoclonal anti-IL12 antibody (NISHIBORI et al, 2006).…”

“…This could be exemplifi ed by the development of a humanized chicken monoclonal anti-IL12 antibody (NISHIBORI et al, 2006). It is also important to keep in mind that recombinant technologies currently available can generate monoclonal IgY or IgY-like antibodies from combinatorial libraries, sometimes without animal immunization (SPILLNER et al, 2012).…”

Electrochemical Immunosensor for Detection of IgY in Food and Food Supplements

“…IgY is composed of two heavy chains (M w = 68 kDa) and two light chains (M w = 27 kDa), resulting in a molecular weight of around 190 kDa [3]. The concentration of this antibody in hen blood serum is 5-15 mg/mL, in egg yolk is 10-25 mg/mL; for this high concentration and for its complete absence in egg white, IgY is well representative of egg yolk [4].…”

“…Among all of them, the most promising use of IgY is in immunotherapy, as shown by the many reviews and articles recently published covering this subject [2][3][4][5]; for example, IgY can protect humans and mammalians against animal diseases caused by virus or bacteria attacks. For these purposes, IgY can be added to many foods, both for cattle and humans (kids and adults), to improve the immunological properties of aliments.…”