Immunomodulatory activity accompanying chicken egg yolk immunoglobulin Y

Abstract

Immunity transfer from a mother to the newborn does not depend exclusively on immunoglobulins. Peptides, which are characterized by immunoregulatory properties that accompany IgG(2), known as proline-rich polypeptide complex (PRP), have been discovered for the first time in ovine colostrum. In this report we present new data showing that some immunoregulatory peptides associated with the main immunoglobulin class, IgY, are also present in the avian immune system. Cytokine-inducing activity of particular fractions obtained from ovine colostrum, IgG+ (IgG(2) containing PRP), IgG- (IgG(2) free of PRP), and purified PRP, was compared with that of crude egg yolk IgY (IgY+), additionally purified egg yolk IgY (IgY-), and polypeptides accompanying IgY named Yolkin (Y), using an ex vivo model of whole human blood cells. It was shown that both IgG+ fraction and PRP, but not IgG-, stimulated the whole blood cells to release tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin-1β cytokines. Similar experiments performed with hen's egg IgY preparations showed that IgY+ and Y samples showed higher cytokine-inducing activity than samples additionally purified with the use of size exclusion chromatography (IgY-). The IgY+ at a dose of 100 μg was even more active than the positive lipopolysaccharide control. It was also found that Y is able to stimulate macrophage cell line J774.2 to release nitric oxide. The results obtained suggest that IgY, the main chicken immunoglobulin fraction, is accompanied by additional polypeptides and plays a role of a transporter of biologically active substances, which was observed in the case of colostral IgG.

Eggs as a Very Promising Source of Biomedical and Nutraceutical Preparations: A Review

“…Based on it the authors have shown that hen egg yolk IgY preparation, the main immunoglobulin class of the avian immune system, indeed, is capable of stimulating whole blood cells to release TNF-α and IL-1β cytokines [57]. The results obtained in the study suggested that IgY, like the colostral IgG, may be accompanied by some substances exhibiting properties similar to those of colostral PRP.…”

Yolkin- A Polypeptide Complex Isolated From Chicken Egg Yolk with Potential Neuroprotective and Antioxidative Activity

“…Vg was initially recognized as a female-specific protein, but recently its presence has also been demonstrated in males. This indicates that Vg in much smaller quantities can play an additional yet unknown biological function, making this protein very interesting [1][2][3][4]. Chicken Vg consists of three species, designated as vitellogenins I, II and III [2].…”

“…Additionally, among the yolkin constituents, peptides with molecular weights of about 20.4 kDa and 23.2 kDa exert the strongest cytokine IL 6 inducing activity [1]. It has also been shown that yolkin modulates nitric oxide release from mouse macrophages, and down-regulates lipid peroxidation [4,5].…”

“…Taken together, the immune-regulatory properties of yolkin indicate it may be a promising bioactive compound to promote neuroprotection and inhibit the progression of dementia in the course of neurodegenerative disorders [1,4]. In this regard, we had previously tested the impact of yolkin on cognitive functions in young and old rats as a model of cognitive decline and the process of brain aging.…”

PC2 Ovotransferrin: Characterization and Alternative Immunotherapeutic Activity

“…Until now, the antibacterial [9, 10], antiviral [11], growth inhibitor [12], antihypertensive [13], immune modulatory [14, 15], antitumoral, nutraceutical [16–18], or as a targeting molecule [19] activity of the OTf, or its derived peptides, has been validated. Recently, an antimicrobial peptide, OTAP-92, located in the OTF's N lobe, has been isolated.…”