IgY antibodies in human nutrition for disease prevention.

Andreas Schubert,Christopher Oelkrug,Sandra Müller,Julia Zajac,Terry Dyck

doi:10.1186/s12937-015-0067-3

Abstract

Oral administration of preformed specific antibodies is an attractive approach against infections of the digestive system in humans and animals in times of increasing antibiotic resistances. Previous studies showed a positive effect of egg yolk IgY antibodies on bacterial intoxications in animals and humans. Immunization of chickens with specific antigens offers the possibility to create various forms of antibodies. Research shows that orally applied IgY’s isolated from egg yolks can passively cure or prevent diseases of the digestive system. The use of these alternative therapeutic drugs provides further advantages: (1) The production of IgY’s is a non-invasive alternative to current methods; (2) The keeping of chickens is inexpensive; (3) The animals are easy to handle; (4) It avoids repetitive bleeding of laboratory animals; (5) It is also very cost effective regarding the high IgY concentration within the egg yolk. Novel targets of these antigen specific antibodies are Helicobacter pylori and also molecules involved in signaling pathways in gastric cancer. Furthermore, also dental caries causing bacteria like Streptococcus mutans or opportunistic Pseudomonas aeruginosa in cystic fibrosis patients are possible targets. Therefore, IgY’s included in food for human consumption may be able to prevent or cure human diseases.

Highlights

Oral administration of preformed specific antibodies is an attractive approach against infections of the digestive system in humans and animals in times of increasing antibiotic resistances
Caecal tonsils, Harderian gland, bone marrow, lymph nodes, and various lymphoid tissues e.g. lymphoid tissues associated with mucosal surfaces (MALT); including bronchialassociated lymphoid tissues (BALT), gut associated lymphoid tissues (GALT) and conjunctival associated lymphoid tissues (CALT)
The cellular response can be defined as those cells that react with a high specificity to their specific antigen but not including the cells involved in antibody production

Summary

Introduction

Oral administration of preformed specific antibodies is an attractive approach against infections of the digestive system in humans and animals in times of increasing antibiotic resistances. First described is the mammalian IgG which is analogous to IgY and is mainly present in serum and egg yolk [6]. In both cases the acquired immunity includes T-cell receptors (TCRs), polymorphic MHC class I and II molecules, primary and secondary lymphoid organs, rearrangement of the recombination- activating gene (RAG) and antibody class switch The transfer of IgY antibodies from maternal serum to the egg yolk is analogous to the cross-placental transmission in mammals [12].

Results

Conclusion