Specific removal of bovine serum albumin (BSA) antibodies in vivo by extracorporeal circulation over BSA immobilized on nylon microcapsules.

Studies were undertaken to determine whether BSA, once immobilized on activated nylon microspheres, would be capable of specifically removing circulating BSA antibody in vitro and in vivo in an extracorporeal circulation system in dogs. Nylon microspheres were prepared and, after gentle hydrolysis and glutaraldehyde treatment, demonstrated a retention of up to 34.5 mg of BSA. In vitro studies showed that BSA immobilized on microspheres removed a significant percentage of BSA-binding activity. For in vivo studies, an extracorporeal circulation system was established and mongrel dogs were then injected with anti-BSA and anti-HSA antibodies. After an equilibration period, BSA microspheres were introduced into the extracorporeal circulation system. After the insertion of BSA microcapsules, serum exhibited a sharp reduction in BSA binding over the next 15 min, with a more gradual diminution over the ensuing 60 to 90 min. There was no significant reduction in anti-HSA binding over the same time frame. This effect could not be attributed to release of BSA from the microspheres since no 125I-BSA was detected in the serum or organs of the dogs at the conclusion of the experiments. After extracorporeal circulation over nylon microspheres, there were only minimal changes in the host's hematocrit or leukocyte counts and no significant thrombotic material or cellular debris was recoverable on the capsules. These data suggest that antigen immobilized on nylon microspheres may specifically withdraw circulating antibodies in vivo with minimal release of its antigenic material and little alteration in the host's hematologic status.