Method for enhancing growth or increasing feed efficiency through reducing binding between endotoxin and its receptor in the gastrointestinal tract

Abstract

A method for reducing gastrointestinal inflammation, enhancing growth, or improving feed efficiency in a human or non-human animal is disclosed. The method involves administering to the animal an agent that can reduce the formation of the signal transduction complex of endotoxin, TLR4 and CD14 on the cellular surface of a cell in the gastrointestinal tract of the animal. In a preferred embodiment, an antibody against the extracellular domain of TLR4 or CD14 is used to reduce the formation of the complex. A composition that contains the antibody and an ingestible carrier is also disclosed. Further disclosed is a method for producing a peptide for enhancing growth, improving feed efficiency, or both in a human or non-human animal.

1 . A method for enhancing growth, improving feed efficiency, or both in a human or non human animal, the method comprising the step of:
 administering to the animal an agent that can reduce formation of a complex on cellular surface of a cell in the gastrointestinal tract of the animal wherein the complex comprises endotoxin, toll-like receptor 4 (LTR4) and CD14.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the agent comprises an antibody to the extracellular domain of a protein selected from the group consisting of TLR 4 and CD 14. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the antibody is provided in an egg preparation from an avian. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the agent is administered orally. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the agent is administered by an injection method selected from the group consisting of subcutaneous injection, intraperitoneal injection, intramuscular injection, and intravenous injection. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein an oral inoculation agent for the animal to generate anti-TLR4 or anti-CD 14 antibody is administered. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the animal is an avian. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the animal is a mammal. 
     
     
         10 . A composition for oral consumption by a human or non-human animal comprising:
 an antibody to the extracellular domain of a protein selected from the group consisting of TLR4 and CD14 in an amount sufficient to enhance growth, improve feed efficiency, or both in the human or non-human animal; and   an ingestible carrier.   
     
     
         11 . The composition of  claim 10  wherein the antibody is provided in an egg of an avian. 
     
     
         12 . A method for reducing gastrointestinal inflammation in a human or non-human animal, the method comprising the step of:
 administering to the animal an agent that can reduce formation of a complex on cellular surface of a cell in the gastrointestinal tract of the animal wherein the complex comprises endotoxin, TLR4 and CD14.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the agent comprises an antibody to the extracellular domain of a protein selected from the group consisting of TLR4 and CD14. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the antibody is provided in an egg preparation from an avian. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the agent is administered orally. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the agent is administered by an injection method selected from the group consisting of subcutaneous injection, intraperitoneal injection, intramuscular injection, and intravenous injection. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein an oral inoculation agent for the animal to generate anti-TLR4 or anti-CD14 antibody is administered. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the animal is an avian. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the animal is a mammal. 
     
     
         20 . A method for producing a peptide for enhancing growth, improving feed efficiency, or both, the method comprising the steps of:
 administering an antibody to a cell surface receptor into the gastrointestinal tract of an animal;   determining whether at least one of growth and feed efficiency are enhanced;   if at least one of growth and feed efficiency are enhanced, producing a soluble peptide from the extracellular or ligand binding domain of the receptor wherein the peptide can compete with the receptor for binding to a ligand of the receptor.