Abstract
Avian eggs present an ideal alternative antibody source to mammals as the immunoglobulin (IgY) in the chicken’s blood is transported to the egg and accumulates in the egg yolk in large quantities. The existence of an immunoglobulin G (IgG)-like molecule in avian eggs, referred to as IgY, has been well documented, and extensive research has been carried out on its characterization, production and purification. Although it is the functional equivalent of mammalian IgG, the major serum antibody found in mammals IgY is structurally different, and has been found to exhibit several important differences when compared to mammalian antibodies, including its physicochemical properties and immunological capabilities. Recently, considerable research has focus seldom use of IgY as an alternative to mammalian antibodies for several applications, including immunotherapeutic applications, especially for the oral passive immunization against various bacteria and viruses. Much research has also been carried out on the use of IgY as a replacement for IgG in various immunodiagnostic and immunoaffinity purification purposes. The use of IgY offers several advantages over polyclonal antibodies produced in mammals, including providing a much more hygienic, cost efficient, convenient, humane and plentiful source of antigen-specific antibodies. Key words: Avian, egg yolk antibody, immunodiagnostic, immunotherapeutic, IgY.
Highlights
The avian egg contains all the necessary nutrients and growth factors required for the developing embryo, including antibodies that are transported from the blood of the hen into the egg yolk to provide immunity to the chick (Yegani and Korver, 2010)
Chicken eggs present an ideal alternative antibody source to mammals, as the IgY in the chickens' blood is transported to the egg and accumulates in the egg yolk in large quantities.The amount of antigen specific antibodies of the total pool of antibodies in an egg has been reported to be up to 10 %
There is progress to use chicken egg as source of antibodies for prevention and treatment of gut associated infections wherein, after immunization, the specific antibodies, otherwise, known as IgY are transported to the egg yolk and they can be separated without scarifying the bird
Summary
The avian egg contains all the necessary nutrients and growth factors required for the developing embryo, including antibodies that are transported from the blood of the hen into the egg yolk to provide immunity to the chick (Yegani and Korver, 2010). There is progress to use chicken egg as source of antibodies for prevention and treatment of gut associated infections wherein, after immunization, the specific antibodies, otherwise, known as IgY are transported to the egg yolk and they can be separated without scarifying the bird. In an attempt to isolate antibodies that could limit C. jejuni colonization Al-Adwani et al (2013) generated chicken egg-yolk-derived antibodies (IgY) in laying hens against the five different C. jejuni colonization-associated cell surface proteins. These proteins were produced in sufficient quantities by first expressing the respective protein in E. coli and subsequently purifying the proteins for intramuscular injection as a water-oil mixture in combination with Freund’s complete adjuvant into C. jejuni-free laying hens. Human TNF in vitro indicates its possible use for the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease in humans in the future
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