Immunoadsorbent

An immunoadsorbent is a substance or device used to remove specific antibodies or antigens from a biological fluid, typically blood. This process is known as immunoadsorption or immunoperfusion. The core principle involves immobilizing a ligand, such as an antigen or an antibody, onto a solid support material. When a fluid containing the target substance flows over this support, the immobilized ligand binds to its complementary molecule, effectively capturing it and removing it from the fluid.

In medical applications, immunoadsorption is often employed in apheresis procedures. For example, it can be used to selectively remove pathogenic autoantibodies from the blood of patients with autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis, myasthenia gravis, or certain kidney disorders. The plasma is separated from the blood cells, and then passed through the immunoadsorbent column. After the target antibodies are removed, the treated plasma is returned to the patient. This method offers a targeted approach to reduce the levels of harmful antibodies without removing other essential blood components.

Immunoadsorbents are also utilized in research settings for purifying antibodies or antigens, or for studying molecular interactions. The choice of ligand and support material depends on the specific target molecule to be removed or captured. The efficiency of an immunoadsorbent is determined by its binding capacity and selectivity for the intended target.