Development of IgY-Based Passive Immunization Against Tilapia Lake Virus: Development and In Vitro Neutralization Assays

Tilapia lake virus (TiLV) poses a major threat to global tilapia aquaculture and contributes to significant economic losses due to the absence of effective vaccines and treatments. Given the high mortality rates and severe pathological effects of TiLV on tilapia, alternative strategies, such as immu...

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Main Authors: Piyathip Setthawong, Jidapa Yamkasem, Matepiya Khemthong, Puntanat Tattiyapong, Pornphimon Metheenukul, Noppadol Prasertsincharoen, Tuchakorn Lertwanakarn, Naris Thengchaisri, Win Surachetpong
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Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-03-01
Series:Viruses
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4915/17/3/448
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author Piyathip Setthawong
Jidapa Yamkasem
Matepiya Khemthong
Puntanat Tattiyapong
Pornphimon Metheenukul
Noppadol Prasertsincharoen
Tuchakorn Lertwanakarn
Naris Thengchaisri
Win Surachetpong
author_facet Piyathip Setthawong
Jidapa Yamkasem
Matepiya Khemthong
Puntanat Tattiyapong
Pornphimon Metheenukul
Noppadol Prasertsincharoen
Tuchakorn Lertwanakarn
Naris Thengchaisri
Win Surachetpong
author_sort Piyathip Setthawong
collection DOAJ
description Tilapia lake virus (TiLV) poses a major threat to global tilapia aquaculture and contributes to significant economic losses due to the absence of effective vaccines and treatments. Given the high mortality rates and severe pathological effects of TiLV on tilapia, alternative strategies, such as immunoglobulin-based therapies, are being considered for disease control. In this study, we developed specific immunoglobulin Y (IgY) antibodies against TiLV and evaluated their neutralization activity. Laying hens were immunized via intramuscular injections of recombinant TiLV segment 4 protein, and IgY antibodies were extracted and purified from their egg yolks using polyethylene glycol precipitation. Western blot analysis confirmed the specificity of the IgY, which demonstrated no cross-reactivity with nontarget proteins. Neutralization assays revealed a dose-dependent reduction in TiLV infectivity, which declined from 5.01 × 10<sup>6</sup> TCID<sub>50</sub>/mL to 5.01 × 10<sup>4</sup>–1.26 × 10<sup>5</sup> TCID<sub>50</sub>/mL, with the highest efficacy observed at a 1:2 dilution. Despite the variability in neutralization infectivity among the different hens, IgY effectively inhibited TiLV-induced cytopathic effects. Immunofluorescence assays further confirmed a significant reduction in the TiLV antigen levels in IgY-treated RHTiB cells. Our findings highlight IgY as a promising strategy for TiLV control and suggest its potential application in the prevention of emerging viruses.
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spelling doaj-art-403d8a4f53a040f8a2c5ebd2fcef79c92025-08-20T02:43:05ZengMDPI AGViruses1999-49152025-03-0117344810.3390/v17030448Development of IgY-Based Passive Immunization Against Tilapia Lake Virus: Development and In Vitro Neutralization AssaysPiyathip Setthawong0Jidapa Yamkasem1Matepiya Khemthong2Puntanat Tattiyapong3Pornphimon Metheenukul4Noppadol Prasertsincharoen5Tuchakorn Lertwanakarn6Naris Thengchaisri7Win Surachetpong8Department of Physiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kasetsart University, Bangkok 10900, ThailandDepartment of Veterinary Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kasetsart University, Bangkok 10900, ThailandDepartment of Veterinary Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kasetsart University, Bangkok 10900, ThailandDepartment of Veterinary Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kasetsart University, Bangkok 10900, ThailandDepartment of Veterinary Technology, Faculty of Veterinary Technology, Kasetsart University, Bangkok 10900, ThailandDepartment of Veterinary Technology, Faculty of Veterinary Technology, Kasetsart University, Bangkok 10900, ThailandDepartment of Physiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kasetsart University, Bangkok 10900, ThailandDepartment of Companion Animal, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kasetsart University, Bangkok 10900, ThailandDepartment of Veterinary Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kasetsart University, Bangkok 10900, ThailandTilapia lake virus (TiLV) poses a major threat to global tilapia aquaculture and contributes to significant economic losses due to the absence of effective vaccines and treatments. Given the high mortality rates and severe pathological effects of TiLV on tilapia, alternative strategies, such as immunoglobulin-based therapies, are being considered for disease control. In this study, we developed specific immunoglobulin Y (IgY) antibodies against TiLV and evaluated their neutralization activity. Laying hens were immunized via intramuscular injections of recombinant TiLV segment 4 protein, and IgY antibodies were extracted and purified from their egg yolks using polyethylene glycol precipitation. Western blot analysis confirmed the specificity of the IgY, which demonstrated no cross-reactivity with nontarget proteins. Neutralization assays revealed a dose-dependent reduction in TiLV infectivity, which declined from 5.01 × 10<sup>6</sup> TCID<sub>50</sub>/mL to 5.01 × 10<sup>4</sup>–1.26 × 10<sup>5</sup> TCID<sub>50</sub>/mL, with the highest efficacy observed at a 1:2 dilution. Despite the variability in neutralization infectivity among the different hens, IgY effectively inhibited TiLV-induced cytopathic effects. Immunofluorescence assays further confirmed a significant reduction in the TiLV antigen levels in IgY-treated RHTiB cells. Our findings highlight IgY as a promising strategy for TiLV control and suggest its potential application in the prevention of emerging viruses.https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4915/17/3/448tilapia lake viruspassive immunizationimmunoglobulinIgYchicken eggsdisease management
spellingShingle Piyathip Setthawong
Jidapa Yamkasem
Matepiya Khemthong
Puntanat Tattiyapong
Pornphimon Metheenukul
Noppadol Prasertsincharoen
Tuchakorn Lertwanakarn
Naris Thengchaisri
Win Surachetpong
Development of IgY-Based Passive Immunization Against Tilapia Lake Virus: Development and In Vitro Neutralization Assays
Viruses
tilapia lake virus
passive immunization
immunoglobulin
IgY
chicken eggs
disease management
title Development of IgY-Based Passive Immunization Against Tilapia Lake Virus: Development and In Vitro Neutralization Assays
title_full Development of IgY-Based Passive Immunization Against Tilapia Lake Virus: Development and In Vitro Neutralization Assays
title_fullStr Development of IgY-Based Passive Immunization Against Tilapia Lake Virus: Development and In Vitro Neutralization Assays
title_full_unstemmed Development of IgY-Based Passive Immunization Against Tilapia Lake Virus: Development and In Vitro Neutralization Assays
title_short Development of IgY-Based Passive Immunization Against Tilapia Lake Virus: Development and In Vitro Neutralization Assays
title_sort development of igy based passive immunization against tilapia lake virus development and in vitro neutralization assays
topic tilapia lake virus
passive immunization
immunoglobulin
IgY
chicken eggs
disease management
url https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4915/17/3/448
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