A New Device for Selective Removal of CD4+ T Cells

:Guest Editor's Introduction: As the leukocyte removal has been recognized as an effective means of therapy, efforts were focused on the device development for more specific removal of cellular components, which are related to the cause of the disease. Shibuya and Asahi Medical Co. developed the CD4+T removal column which consists of polystyrene fabrics with immobilized anti-human CD4+ monoclonal antibodies. This paper describes the basic material design and the in vitro studies in terms of CD4+ removal. This paper was printed in Therapeutic Apheresis, vol. 2, page 37–42 (1998), and reprinted here with permission. To control antigen (Ag)-specific immune cells is important in the treatment of autoimmune diseases. In particular, a direct solution may be obtained by controlling the CD4+ cell function that controls the immune response of autoimmune T cells. Thus, a technique to selectively remove CD4+ cells has been developed, based on the consideration that the immune system may possibly be modified by selectively removing the CD4+ cells by means of extracorporeal circulation. The currently developed device to selectively remove CD4+ cells uses a material made of nonwoven fabric with monoclonal antibodies immobilized on the surface. With this device, removal of only CD4+ cells from human mononuclear cells suspension can be accomplished. Moreover, CD4+ cells can be specifically removed from peripheral whole blood by direct perfusion. This review outlines a series of procedures for selective cell removal and the results of our research.