Subject(s)
Autoimmune Diseases/history , Plasmapheresis/history , Animals , Autoimmune Diseases/immunology , Autoimmune Diseases/therapy , CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes/immunology , Cell Separation/history , Cell Separation/instrumentation , Cell Separation/methods , Equipment Design/history , History, 20th Century , Humans , Plasmapheresis/instrumentation , Rats , T-Lymphocyte Subsets/immunologyABSTRACT
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.
