Chicken Egg Yolk Antibodies (IgYs) block the binding of multiple SARS-CoV-2 spike protein variants to human ACE2

Int Immunopharmacol. 2021 Jan:90:107172. doi: 10.1016/j.intimp.2020.107172. Epub 2020 Nov 3.

Abstract

The SARS-CoV-2 virus is still spreading worldwide, and there is an urgent need to effectively prevent and control this pandemic. This study evaluated the potential efficacy of Egg Yolk Antibodies (IgY) as a neutralizing agent against the SARS-CoV-2. We investigated the neutralizing effect of anti-spike-S1 IgYs on the SARS-CoV-2 pseudovirus, as well as its inhibitory effect on the binding of the coronavirus spike protein mutants to human ACE2. Our results show that the anti-Spike-S1 IgYs showed significant neutralizing potency against SARS-CoV-2 pseudovirus, various spike protein mutants, and even SARS-CoV in vitro. It might be a feasible tool for the prevention and control of ongoing COVID-19.

Keywords: Chicken Egg Yolk Antibodies; IgY; Neutralizing agent; SARS-CoV-2; Spike protein variants.

MeSH terms

  • Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2 / metabolism*
  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Neutralizing / metabolism*
  • Antibodies, Neutralizing / therapeutic use
  • COVID-19 / therapy*
  • Chickens / immunology*
  • Egg Yolk / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulins / metabolism*
  • Immunoglobulins / therapeutic use
  • Mutation / genetics
  • Pandemics
  • Protein Binding
  • SARS-CoV-2 / genetics
  • SARS-CoV-2 / metabolism*
  • Spike Glycoprotein, Coronavirus / genetics
  • Spike Glycoprotein, Coronavirus / metabolism*

Substances

  • Antibodies, Neutralizing
  • IgY
  • Immunoglobulins
  • Spike Glycoprotein, Coronavirus
  • spike glycoprotein, SARS-CoV
  • ACE2 protein, human
  • Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2