PHEMA cryogel for in-vitro removal of anti-dsDNA antibodies from SLE plasma

Supermacroporous poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (PHEMA) cryogel carrying DNA was used in the removal of anti-dsDNA antibodies from systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patient plasma. The PHEMA cryogel was prepared by bulk polymerization which proceeds in an aqueous solution of monomer frozen inside a plastic syringe. After thawing, the PHEMA cryogel contains a continuous matrix having interconnected macropores of 10–200 μm size. Pore volume in the PHEMA cryogel was 67.5%. Ester groups in the PHEMA structure were converted to imine groups by reacting with poly(ethyleneimine) (PEI) in the presence of NaHCO3. Amino (− NH2) content of PEI-modified PHEMA cryogel was determined as 82 mg PEI/g. Then, DNA was attached onto the PHEMA cryogel via amino groups (53.4 mg DNA/g cryogel). Anti-dsDNA-antibody concentration declined significantly from 780 IU/ml to 80 IU/ml with the time. The maximum anti-dsDNA-antibody adsorption amount was 70 × 103 IU/g. Anti-dsDNA-antibodies could be repeatedly adsorbed and eluted without noticeable loss in the anti-dsDNA-antibody adsorption amount.