The present invention relates to methods for producing compositions comprising secretory IgA and one or more probiotics. In particular, the invention relates to methods for producing compositions in which the secretory IgA and one or more probiotics are associated. The invention also relates to compositions obtainable by the methods and uses of the compositions, for example in reducing or preventing a non-viral infection and/or inflammation.

Methods are provided for extracting and purifying maternal antibodies from breastmilk, followed by further processing to facilitate oral ingestion. The methods may be used on breastmilk from any mammal, including humans, for consumption by mammals including humans. Antibodies are well-known immune mediators that are naturally found in abundant supply in breastmilk, and they are passed directly to the offspring via breastfeeding. The methods described herein extract antibodies from breastmilk in a manner that preserves the structure and antigen-specificity while enabling the formulation into products that are optimized for delivery to mammals, including humans. The method comprises (1) breastmilk collection, (2) extraction of antibodies, (3) characterization of antibody structure, degradation, and contamination, and (4) formulation into a dietary supplement (food product) for delivery to mammals, especially humans.

Methods are provided for extracting and purifying maternal antibodies from breastmilk, followed by further processing to facilitate oral ingestion. The methods may be used on breastmilk from any mammal, including humans, for consumption by mammals including humans. Antibodies are well-known immune mediators that are naturally found in abundant supply in breastmilk, and they are passed directly to the offspring via breastfeeding. The methods described herein extract antibodies from breastmilk in a manner that preserves the structure and antigen-specificity while enabling the formulation into products that are optimized for delivery to mammals, including humans. The method comprises (1) breastmilk collection, (2) extraction of antibodies, (3) characterization of antibody structure, degradation, and contamination, and (4) formulation into a dietary supplement (food product) for delivery to mammals, especially humans.

Disclosed is a variant of a parent polypeptide including an Fc fragment, the variant having an increased affinity for the FcRn receptor, and an increased affinity for at least one receptor of the Fc fragment (FcR) chosen from the FcRI (CD64), FcRIIIa (CD16a) and FcRIIa (CD32a) receptors, relative to that of the parent polypeptide, characterised in that it includes: (i) the four mutations 334N, 352S, 378V and 397M; and (ii) at least one mutation chosen from 434Y, 434S, 226G, P228L, P228R, 230S, 230T, 230L, 241L, 264E, 307P, 315D, 330V, 362R, 389T and 389K; the numbering being that of the EU index or the Kabat equivalent.

Disclosed is a variant of a parent polypeptide including an Fc fragment, the variant having an increased affinity for the FcRn receptor, and an increased affinity for at least one receptor of the Fc fragment (FcR) chosen from the FcRI (CD64), FcRIIIa (CD16a) and FcRIIa (CD32a) receptors, relative to that of the parent polypeptide, characterised in that it includes: (i) the four mutations 334N, 352S, 378V and 397M; and (ii) at least one mutation chosen from 434Y, 434S, 226G, P228L, P228R, 230S, 230T, 230L, 241L, 264E, 307P, 315D, 330V, 362R, 389T and 389K; the numbering being that of the EU index or the Kabat equivalent.

The present invention provides a means to prepare a product from domestic animal milk, blood or eggs which comprises an array of T-cell exposed motifs similar in identity, distribution and concentration to those found in human immunoglobulin variable regions and to prepare and apply the product as an immune modulating agent for administration either as a nutritional supplement or as a pharmaceutical product.

The present invention provides a means to prepare a product from domestic animal milk, blood or eggs which comprises an array of T-cell exposed motifs similar in identity, distribution and concentration to those found in human immunoglobulin variable regions and to prepare and apply the product as an immune modulating agent for administration either as a nutritional supplement or as a pharmaceutical product.

The present application relates to a method for preparing an antibody or antibody fragment composition from raw milk from a non-human mammal expressing said antibody or antibody fragment in its milk, comprising steps a) precipitation of the raw milk with caprylic acid, b) separation, consisting of centrifugation or filtration through a depth filter, and optionally c) filtration through an active carbon depth filter.

The present application relates to a method for preparing an antibody or antibody fragment composition from raw milk from a non-human mammal expressing said antibody or antibody fragment in its milk, comprising steps a) precipitation of the raw milk with caprylic acid, b) separation, consisting of centrifugation or filtration through a depth filter, and optionally c) filtration through an active carbon depth filter.

The present invention provides novel Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculsis (MAP) derived antigens which may be used to diagnose and thereafter effectively treat animals that have been infected with MAP, Further provided are methods of determining whether an animal is infected with MAP, and methods of diagnosing and treating Johne's disease. The invention also relates to a kit for the implementation of the methods.