Dietary Immunoglobulin Y by Targeting Both GbpB and GtfB Enhances the Anticaries Effect in Rats

The purpose of this work was to develop an anti-CAT-SYI immunoglobulin Y (IgY) antibody that targeted both GtfB (glucosyltransferase B) and GbpB (glucan-binding protein B) and test its anticaries properties in rats.

A new CAT-SYI fusion gene was created utilising functional DNA fragments from the GtfB and GbpB genes. The recombinant antigens, comprising the fused CAT-SYI antigen, GtfB, and GbpB, were expressed and purified using a prokaryotic expression and purification system. The purified recombinant antigens were utilised to immunise laying hens against particular IgY production. The biological activities of these particular IgY antibodies were then assessed both in vitro and in vivo, including their capacity to suppress biofilm formation and tooth caries.

Results indicated that these produced IgY antibodies demonstrated a high antibody titer (>0.1 μg/mL) and could precisely recognise and bind to their respective antigens. Furthermore, it was discovered that these specific IgY antibodies successfully bind to Streptococcus mutans and significantly reduce biofilm development. After 8 weeks of ingesting antigen-specific IgY meals, comprising anti-GtfB IgY and anti-GbpB IgY, the severity of dental caries was dramatically reduced in S mutans-infected Sprague-Dawley rats (P < .01). Anti-CAT-SYI IgY therapy significantly reduced tooth cavities by 89.0% in vivo (P < .05) compared to other treatment groups.

The anti-CAT-SYI IgY, a multitarget antibody that targets both GtfB and GbpB, displayed excellent inhibitory effects against S mutans, making it a promising targeted method with improved anticaries efficacy and significant application opportunities.