title: Maternally transferred antibodies from DNA-immunized avians protect offspring against hepadnavirus infection.
abstract: The outcome and protective efficacy of maternal antibodies elicited by DNA immunization to the large (L) hepadnavirus envelope protein were studied using the duck hepatitis B virus (DHBV) model. Following genetic immunization of breeding ducks with a DHBV L protein gene-bearing plasmid, specific and highly neutralizing antibodies were transferred from the sera of immunized ducks, via the egg yolk, to the progeny of vaccinees. Interestingly, large amounts (60 to 100 mg/egg) of high-titer and L protein-specific yolk immunoglobulins (immunoglobulin Y) accumulated in the egg yolk. These results suggest that eggs from genetically immunized avians may represent a potent source of DNA-designed antibodies specific to viral antigen. Importantly, these antibodies are vertically transmitted and protect offspring against high-titer DHBV challenge.
authors.affiliation: Unité de Recherche sur les Virus des Hépatites et les Pathologies Associées, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, Unité 271, Lyon, France.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Rollier
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Charollois
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Jamard
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Trepo
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Cova
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004372:Ducks; D018347:Hepadnaviridae Infections / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006508:Hepatitis Antibodies / Q000276:immunology*; D015611:Hepatitis B Virus, Duck / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D007112:Immunity, Maternally-Acquired; D014611:Vaccination; D019444:Vaccines, DNA / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000276:immunology*; D014759:Viral Envelope Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D014765:Viral Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D006508:Hepatitis Antibodies; C096362:L protein, hepatitis B virus; D019444:Vaccines, DNA; D014759:Viral Envelope Proteins; D014765:Viral Vaccines