Avian anti-HBV immunoglobulin: New tool to improve hepatitis B diagnosis methods

Raissa Martins Deodato ¹, Debora Regina Lopes Dos Santos ², Mayara Torquato Lima da Silva ³

⁰Viral Hepatitis Laboratory, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

International Journal of Biological Macromolecules +

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September 2, 2023

View abstract on PubMed

Summary

Researchers produced Immunoglobulin Y (IgY) antibodies against Hepatitis B surface antigen (anti-HBs) in chickens. This anti-HBs IgY shows promise for developing sensitive in-house enzyme immunoassays for Hepatitis B virus detection.

Area Of Science

Immunology
Biotechnology
Virology

Background

Immunoglobulin Y (IgY) offers potential for serological diagnosis of infectious agents.
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) surface antigen (HBsAg) detection is crucial for diagnosis and management.

Purpose Of The Study

To produce IgY antibodies specific to Hepatitis B virus surface antigen (anti-HBs).
To evaluate the utility of produced IgY anti-HBs in enzyme immunoassays for HBsAg detection.

Main Methods

Chickens were immunized with Hepatitis B vaccine, with or without CpG-ODN adjuvant.
IgY antibodies were purified from egg yolks using polyethylene glycol and affinity chromatography.
Antibody characterization involved SDS-PAGE and Western Blot; protein concentration was measured via spectrophotometry.
An in-house ELISA was developed using IgY-anti-HBs sensitized microplates and an IgG/HRP conjugate.

Main Results

IgY anti-HBs production was confirmed by SDS-PAGE and Western Blot.
Mean total protein concentrations were comparable between groups (3.27 ± 3.00 mg/mL and 3.11 ± 3.12 mg/mL).
The developed in-house ELISA demonstrated 100% sensitivity and 78.9% specificity for HBsAg detection using a panel of serum samples.

Conclusions

Anti-HBs IgY can be successfully produced by immunizing chickens with the HBV vaccine.
The produced IgY anti-HBs is suitable for use as a capture antibody in in-house ELISA for HBsAg detection.

Keywords:

Diagnosis Hepatitis B Immunoglobulin Y