Immunoglobulin Y Antibodies Against Colonization-Related Genes Block the Growth and Infection of Helicobacter pylori

Shiyuan Deng¹Xiaoling Luo²Yunxiao Du¹Rania G. Elbaiomy¹Weihan He¹Rong Guo²Ahmed H. El-Sappah³Xiaohong Jian¹Yongmei Xie⁴Mohammed Bakeer^5*Zaixin Li^1*Zhi Zhang^1*

• ¹Sichuan University of Science and Engineering, Zigong, China
• ²Fushun People’s Hospital, Zigong, China
• ³Faculty of Agriculture, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Al Sharqia, Egypt
• ⁴State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China
• ⁵Mayo Clinic Florida, Jacksonville, Florida, United States

Introduction: Immunoglobulin Y (IgY) has emerged as a promising antibody therapy for the eradication of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) independent of antibiotics. However, the roles and differences of IgY antibodies targeting various genes against H. pylori remain unclear.The recombinant antigens of five colonization-related genes -FlaA, BabA2, NapA, HpaA, and UreBare prepared using a prokaryotic expression system and then subject to immunize laying hens for IgY production. Subsequently, their biological activities are evaluated, including blocking bacterial growth, attenuating infection in GES-1 cells, and eradicating H. pylori in gastritis mouse models.Results: These IgY antibodies can recognize the full-length antigens of H. pylori and exhibit a direct inhibitory effect on the growth and infection of H. pylori with dose-dependent characteristics. Among these, anti-FlaA IgY shows greater antibacterial activity in inhibiting H. pylori growth and preventing adhesion to GES-1 cells. Oral administration of these IgY antibodies for two weeks (20.0 mg•kg⁻¹•day⁻¹) achieves a 25% to 37.5% eradication rate of H. pylori infection in mice. Interestingly, combination treatment with these IgY antibodies, based on their different roles, enhances antibacterial benefits and significantly promotes the recovery of gastrointestinal function.Our results indicate that IgY antibodies against colonization-related genes can directly block the growth and infection of H. pylori, and combination treatment with these antibodies offers more advantages in combating H. pylori.