IgY antibodies for the immunoprophylaxis and therapy of respiratory infections

Abstract

Emergence of drug resistance among the causative organisms for respiratory tract infections represents a critical challenge to the global health care community. Further, although vaccination can prevent disease, vaccine development is impeded by several factors. Therefore, novel approaches to treat and manage respiratory infections are urgently needed. Passive immunization represents a possible alternative to meet this need. Immunoglobulin Y antibodies (IgYs) from the yolk of chicken eggs have previously been used against bacterial and viral infections in human and animals. Their advantages include lack of reaction with mammalian Fc receptors, low production cost, and ease of extraction. Compared to mammalian IgGs, they have higher target specificity and greater binding avidity. They also possess remarkable pathogen-neutralizing activity in the respiratory tract and lungs. In this review, we provide an overview of avian IgYs and describe their potential therapeutic applications for the prevention and treatment of respiratory infections.

Generation of Chicken IgY against SARS-COV-2 Spike Protein and Epitope Mapping

“…In animal models, egg yolk IgY isolated from immunized chickens has been tested for treating viral respiratory infections by influenza A subtypes H1N1, H3N2, and H5N1 [ 25 – 27 ] and influenza B [ 42 ] via intranasal delivery. As chicken eggs are a dietary staple for human, IgY is well tolerated in human [ 28 ]. Moreover, because purified IgY does not contain the allergenic egg albumin, it can also be safely used by patients with egg allergy [ 28 ].…”

“…As chicken eggs are a dietary staple for human, IgY is well tolerated in human [ 28 ]. Moreover, because purified IgY does not contain the allergenic egg albumin, it can also be safely used by patients with egg allergy [ 28 ]. In a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial, a specific IgY antibody was effective in treating patients with acute and chronic pharyngitis when administered by oral spray [ 43 ], suggesting that IgY could be a safe and effective agent against respiratory infection.…”

“…Apart from human antibodies, chicken immunoglobulin Y (IgY) from egg yolk has proved able to neutralize pathogens in the respiratory tract of mice [ 25 – 27 ]. Because of its high specificity and avidity, low risk of adverse immune responses, low manufacture cost, and ease of storage, chicken IgY raised against SARS-CoV-2 is waiting to be tapped into for potential therapeutic application in treating COVID-19 [ 28 , 29 ].…”

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

“…Moreover, IgY is a y-shaped antibody with the typical light and heavy chains structure that is similar to mammalian IgG. Also, the structure of the IgY fragment crystallization (FC) region does not allow strong binding to FC receptors on immune cells of non-avian species such as mice, which reduces associated inflammatory signs and allergic reactions when IgY is used for passive immunization in mammals (12).…”

Production and characteristics of a novel chicken egg yolk antibody (IgY) against periodontitis-associated pathogens

“…IgY-based therapies have many advantages, such as reducing cost, biosafety, and easy of mass preparation. Currently, specific IgYs have been prepared to neutralize a variety of pathogens, including bacteria, viruses, and parasites [ 12 ]. For instance, specific IgY has been used in passive immunization trials against parasitic infection, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection, Ebola virus infection, and other infections [ 13 – 15 ].…”