Passive protection of purified yolk immunoglobulin administered against Shiga toxin 1 in mouse models

Abstract

Shiga toxins produced by Escherichia coli O157:H7 cause a wide spectrum of enteric diseases, such as lethal hemorrhagic colitis and hemolytic uremic syndrome. In this study, the B subunit protein of Shiga toxin type 1 (Stx1) was produced in the E. coli system, was further purified by Ni-column Affinity Chromatography method, and was then used as an immunogen to immunize laying hens for yolk immunoglobulin (IgY) production. Titers of IgY increased gradually with boosting vaccination and, finally, reached a level of 105, remaining steady over 1 year. Then the protective efficacy of IgY against Stx1 was evaluated by in vitro and in vivo experiments. It was shown that the anti-Stx1 IgY could effectively block the binding of Stx1 to the Hela cells and could protect BALB/c mice from toxin challenges. The data indicates the facility of using egg yolk IgY as a therapeutic intervention in cases of Shiga toxin intoxication.

Preparation of egg yolk antibodies against BoNT/B and their passive protection in mouse models

“…18 Eighteen eggs for obtaining IgY were collected from 50 to 65 d after initial immunization. The yolks were separated, pooled and well mixed with 9 times volume of distilled water (pH 2.5-2.8).…”

Antibodies anti-Shiga toxin 2 B subunit from chicken egg yolk: Isolation, purification and neutralization efficacy

“…Although a high antibody response was achieved at the beginning of immunization, ELISA results from chicken sera showed that levels of specific antibodies were not constantly maintained in the immunized birds, in contrast to the results of Pauly et al (2009). It is possible that conjugation of Stx2B with a carrier may be necessary (Marcato et al, 2005) although Wang et al (2010) obtained a high titer of specific antibodies against B subunit from Shiga toxin type 1 without conjugation to a carrier and the response remained constant over one year. This suggests a possible negative effect of B subunit from Shiga toxin type 2 in laying hens.…”

Recombinant Shiga Toxin B Subunit Can Induce Neutralizing Immunoglobulin Y Antibody

“…34,35) We also have reported that the toxins do not produce crossneutralizing antibodies in chickens. 15) Here, we found that rStx-1B and rStx-2B could induce cross-neutralizing antibodies, although their activity was low.…”