Removal of cadmium(II) ions from human plasma by thionein modified pHEMA based membranes

Molecular Recognition Based Iron Removal from Human Plasma with Imprinted Membranes

The aim of this study is to prepare ion-imprinted poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (HEMA) based membranes which can be used for the selective removal of Fe3+ ions from Fe3+-overdosed human plasma. N-methacryloyl-(L)-glutamic acid (MAGA) was chosen as the ioncomplexing monomer. In the first step, Fe3+ was complexed with MAGA and then, the Fe3+-imprinted poly(HEMA-MAGA) membranes were prepared by UV-initiated photo-polymerization of HEMA and MAGA-Fe3+ complex in the presence of an initiator (benzoyl peroxide). After that, the template (i.e., Fe3+ ions) was removed by using 0.1 M EDTA solution at room temperature. The specific surface area of the Fe3+-imprinted poly(HEMA-MAGA) membranes was found to be 49.2 m2/g and the swelling ratio was 92%. According to the elemental analysis results, the polymeric membranes contained 145.7 μmol MAGA/g polymer. The maximum adsorption capacity was 164.2 μmol Fe3+/g membrane. The relative selectivity coefficients of ion-imprinted membranes for Fe3+/Zn2+ and Fe3+/Cr3+ were 12.6 and 62.5 times greater than the non-imprinted matrix, respectively. The Fe3+-imprinted poly(HEMA-MAGA) membranes could be used many times without decreasing their Fe3+ adsorption capacities significantly.

Molecular recognition based cadmium removal from human plasma

Molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) are easy to prepare, stable, inexpensive and capable of molecular recognition. MIPs can be considered as affinity separation media. Cadmium is a carcinogenic and mutagenic element. There is no specific treatment available for acute or chronic metal poisoning. Besides supportive therapy and hemodialysis, metal poisoning is often treated with commercially available chelating agents including EDTA and dimercaprol. However, there is histopathological evidence for increased toxicity in animals when these agents are utilized. The aim of this study is to prepare ion-imprinted polymers, which can be used for the selective removal of Cd2+ ions from Cd2+-overdosed human plasma. N-Methacryloly-(L)-cysteinemethylester (MAC) was chosen as the complexing monomer. In the first step, Cd2+ was complexed with MAC and the Cd2+ -imprinted p(HEMA-MAC) beads were synthesized by suspension polymerization. After that, the template (i.e., Cd2+ ions) were removed using 0.1 M thiourea solution. The specific surface area of the Cd2+ -imprinted poly(HEMA-MAC) beads was found to be 19.4 m2/g with a size range of 63-140 microm in diameter and the swelling ratio was 78%. According to the elemental analysis results, the beads contained 42.1 micromol MAC/g polymer. The maximum adsorption capacity was 32.5 micromol Cd2+/g beads. The relative selectivity coefficients of imprinted beads for Cd2+/Pb2+ and Cd2+/Zn2+ were 7.8 and 1683 times greater than non-imprinted matrix, respectively. The Cd2+-imprinted poly(HEMA-MAC) beads could be used many times without decreasing their adsorption capacities significantly.

Fibronectin purification from human plasma in a packed-bed column system with gelatin immobilized PHEMA microspheres

Bioaffinity chromatography has a unique and powerful role that is used as a purification tool in the production of therapeutic plasma protein derivatives. In this study, a bioaffinity-ligand, i.e. gelatin, was covalently immobilized with PHEMA microspheres (150-200 microm in diameter). The affinity sorbent carrying 7.5 mg gelatin g(-1) polymer was then used to separate fibronectin from human plasma in a packed-bed column system. Fibronectin separation from human plasma on unmodified PHEMA microspheres was 0.45 mg g(-1), while much higher adsorption values, up to 21.8 mg g(-1), were obtained with gelatin-immobilized microspheres. The fibronectin adsorption capacity of the microspheres decreased with an increase in the recirculation rate of plasma. Fibronectin adsorption increased with decreasing temperature, and the maximum adsorption achieved at 4 degrees C (26.3 mg fibronectin g(-1)). Up to 94.7% of the adsorbed fibronectin was desorbed by using 2 M urea in the presence of 1 M sodium chloride as elution agent. The adsorption-desorption cycle was repeated ten times using the same affinity column. There was no remarkable reduction in the adsorption capacity of the gelatin-immobilized PHEMA microspheres.

Dye-ligand affinity systems

Dye-ligands have been considered as one of the important alternatives to natural counterparts for specific affinity chromatography. Dye-ligands are able to bind most types of proteins, in some cases in a remarkably specific manner. They are commercially available, inexpensive, and can easily be immobilized, especially on matrices bearing hydroxyl groups. Although dyes are all synthetic in nature, they are still classified as affinity ligands because they interact with the active sites of many proteins mimicking the structure of the substrates, cofactors, or binding agents for those proteins. A number of textile dyes, known as reactive dyes, have been used for protein purification. Most of these reactive dyes consist of a chromophore (either azo dyes, anthraquinone, or phathalocyanine), linked to a reactive group (often a mono- or dichlorotriazine ring). The interaction between the dye ligand and proteins can be by complex combination of electrostatic, hydrophobic, hydrogen bonding. Selection of the supporting matrix is the first important consideration in dye-affinity systems. There are several methods for immobilization of dye molecules onto the support matrix, in which usually several intermediate steps are followed. Both the adsorption and elution steps should carefully be optimized/designed for a successful separation. Dye-affinity systems in the form of spherical sorbents or as affinity membranes have been used in protein separation.