IgY Reduces AFB-Induced Cytotoxicity, Cellular Dysfunction, and Genotoxicity in Human L-02 Hepatocytes and Swan 71 Trophoblasts.

Aflatoxin B (AFB) causes hepatotoxic, genotoxic, and immunotoxic effects in a variety of species. Although various neutralizing agents of AFB toxicity have been studied, the egg yolk immunoglobulin (IgY) detoxification of small molecular toxins and the mechanisms underlying such effects have not yet been reported. In this investigation, anti-AFB IgY against AFB was successfully raised, and a competitive indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was established with a sensitive half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC 2.4 ng/mL) and dynamic working range (0.13-43.0 ng/mL). The anti-AFB IgY obtained reduced AFB-induced cytotoxicity, cellular dysfunction, and genotoxicity by protecting cells against apoptotic body formation and DNA strand breaks, preventing G2/M phase cell cycle arrest, reducing AFB-DNA adduct and reactive oxygen species production and maintaining cell migration and invasion and the mitochondrial membrane potential. Anti-AFB IgY significantly inhibited the AFB-induced expression of proteins related to antioxidative, pro-apoptotic, and antiapoptotic processes in a strong dose-dependent manner. These experiments demonstrated that the anti-AFB IgY-bound AFB could not enter cells. This is the first time that IgY has been found to reduce the effects of small molecular toxins, which will be beneficial for the development of antibodies as detoxication agents.