Cross-Protection of Chicken Immunoglobulin Y Antibodies against H5N1 and H1N1 Viruses Passively Administered in Mice

Abstract

Influenza viruses remain a major threat to global health due to their ability to undergo change through antigenic drift and antigenic shift. We postulated that avian IgY antibodies represent a low-cost, effective, and well-tolerated approach that can easily be scaled up to produce enormous quantities of protective antibodies. These IgY antibodies can be administered passively in humans (orally and intranasally) and can be used quickly and safely to help in the fight against an influenza pandemic. In this study, we raised IgY antibodies against H1N1, H3N2, and H5N1 influenza viruses. We demonstrated that, using whole inactivated viruses alone and in combination to immunize hens, we were able to induce a high level of anti-influenza virus IgY in the sera and eggs, which lasted for at least 2 months after two immunizations. Furthermore, we found that by use of in vitro assays to test for the ability of IgY to inhibit hemagglutination (HI test) and virus infectivity (serum neutralization test), IgYs inhibited the homologous as well as in some cases heterologous clades and strains of viruses. Using an in vivo mouse model system, we found that, when administered intranasally 1 h prior to infection, IgY to H5N1 protected 100% of the mice against lethal challenge with H5N1. Of particular interest was the finding that IgY to H5N1 cross-protected against A/Puerto Rico/8/34 (H1N1) both in vitro and in vivo. Based on our results, we conclude that anti-influenza virus IgY can be used to help prevent influenza virus infection.

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

“…34 The stability and protective effect of IgY prophylaxis in airway compartments seem to be adequate, as IgY antibodies targeting influenza virus in murine lung models are promising. 35,36 Accordingly, oral prophylaxis with anti-Pseudomonas aeruginosa IgY antibodies may assist antibiotics in reducing colonization of P. aeruginosa in the oropharynx. 17 The potential IgY-mediated effect on PMN action is the focus of the present in vitro studies.…”

Anti-Pseudomonas aeruginosa IgY Antibodies Induce Specific Bacterial Aggregation and Internalization in Human Polymorphonuclear Neutrophils

“…Egg yolk immunoglobulins (IgY) have been used successfully to eradicate infectious diseases in animals (24), and prophylaxis with egg yolk immunoglobulins (IgY) targeting P. aeruginosa reduces colonization in CF patients (25). The encouraging results from clinical studies on the efficacy of IgY immunotherapy to prevent gastrointestinal infections (26) and animal models showing a favorable impact of IgY therapy on influenza virus infection (27,28) suggest the potential benefit of anti-P. aeruginosa IgY prophylaxis in non-chronically infected CF patients. Thus, pathogens entering the respiratory airways of CF patients may be readily killed by PMNs due to moderation of the phagocytic activity mediated by IgY immunotherapy.…”

Consumption of Water-Soluble Egg Yolk Extract on Growth Rate, Changes in Blood Cholesterol Levels, and Immune Modulation in BALB/c Mice

“…In addition, chicken egg yolk has been used as an inexpensive and effective source of immunoglobulin Y (IgY) for the treatment of various bacterial (Sunwoo et al, 2010) and viral (Wallach et al, 2011) infections in animals.…”