The potential application of avian egg antibodies with emphasis on immunotherapeutic and immunodiagnostic purpose

*1Teshager Dubie, 1Seid Yimer, 1Mulie Adugna and 2Tesfaye Sisay

Abstract

 

 

Accepted 6^th October, 2014

 

Avian eggs present an ideal alternative antibody source to mammals as the IgY in the chicken’s blood is transported to the egg and accumulates in the egg yolk in large quantities. The existence of an 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 sedon the use of IgY as an alternative to mammalian antibodies for several applications, including for 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

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