Production of rabies neutralizing antibody in hen's eggs using a part of the G protein expressed in Escherichia coli

In an attempt to produce anti-rabies immunoglobulin affordable for people living in developing countries, we have immunized layer chickens with a part of the G protein of rabies virus expressed in Escherichia coli. Immunoglobulin (IgY) was purified from the yolks of eggs layed by immunized hens. It was revealed in vitro that the antibody specifically bound to virions as well as cells infected with rabies virus. Moreover, the antibody apparently neutralized rabies virus infectivity. Inoculation of the antibody into mice infected with rabies virus reduced the mortality caused by the virus, suggesting that IgY directed to the part of the G protein expressed in E. coli could serve as a possible alternative to currently available anti-rabies human or equine immunoglobulins.