The aim of this study is to prepare magnetic poly(2-hydroxyethylmethacrylate) (mPHEMA) beads and to investigate their utility for the removal of
anti-DNA antibodies from
systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patient plasma. mPHEMA beads, in the size range of 80-120 microm, were produced by a modified
suspension technique. Then,
DNA was coupled onto mPHEMA beads by
carbodiimide activation. The amount of
ligand coupled was changed by changing the initial concentrations of
carbodiimide and
DNA. Human
immunoglobulin G (
HIgG) and anti-
DNA antibody adsorption from aqueous solutions and human plasma were examined in a batch system. mPHEMA beads were characterized by swelling tests, electron spin resonance (ESR) and scanning electron microscopy. Important results obtained in this study are as follows: the swelling ratio of mPHEMA beads was 34%. The presence of
magnetite particles in the polymeric structure was confirmed by ESR. The mPHEMA beads have a spherical shape and porous structure. Maximum
DNA coupling of
carbodiimide activated mPHEMA beads was 4.4 mg/g. Maximum
HIgG adsorption from an aqueous
solution was 47.5 mg/g. Anti-
DNA antibody adsorption from SLE plasma was observed as 87.6 mg/g. Non-specific
HIgG adsorption was 0.1 mg/g. More than 90% of the adsorbed
HIgG molecules and
anti-DNA antibodies were desorbed succesfully by using
NaSCN solution. It was possible to reuse these
DNA-affinity beads without significant losses in the antibody adsorption capacities.