Adsorption of immunologically relevant molecules--its present and future

Abstract

The development of numerous adsorbents of various types oblige us to define the used terms. Adsorbents functioning on the same principle as that of the binding between antigen and antibody should be designated as specific adsorbents or immunoadsorbents. All other kinds of adsorbing materials act more or less selectively. A review is given concerning investigations about selective adsorbents. The removal of IgG antibodies is possible with adsorbents of the protein A type. Synthetic materials with IgE and IgM binding properties are presented and are under development. The blocking of the complement system by binding certain components and breakdown products can be a worthwhile feature in view of the biocompatibility of adsorbing materials.