Safety of a Novel Dialyzer Containing a Fluorinated Polyurethane Surface-Modifying Macromolecule in Patients with End-Stage Kidney Disease.

BACKGROUND: By inhibiting the adsorption of protein and platelets, surface-modifying macromolecules (SMMs) may improve the hemocompatibility of hemodialyzers. This trial aims to assess the performance and safety of a novel dialyzer with a fluorinated polyurethane SMM, Endexo™. METHODS: This prospective, sequential, multicenter, open-label study (NCT03536663) was designed to meet regulatory requirements for clinical testing of new hemodialyzers, including assessment of the in vivo ultrafiltration coefficient (Kuf). Adults prescribed thrice-weekly hemodialysis were eligible for enrollment. After completing 12 hemodialysis sessions with an Optiflux® F160NR dialyzer, patients received 38 sessions with the dialyzer with Endexo. Evaluated parameters included the in vivo Kuf of the dialyzer with Endexo extent of removal of urea, albumin, and ß2-microglobulin (ß2M), as well as complement activation. RESULTS: Twenty-three patients received 268 hemodialysis treatments during the Optiflux period, and 18 patients received 664 hemodialysis treatments during the Endexo period. Three serious adverse events were reported, and none of them were considered device related. No overt complement activation was observed with either dialyzer. Both dialyzers were associated with comparable mean increases in serum albumin levels from pre- to posthemodialysis (Optiflux: 7.9%; Endexo: 8.0%). These increases can be viewed in the context of a mean increase in hemoglobin of approximately 5% and a mean ultrafiltration volume removed of approximately 2.2 L. The corrected mean ß2M removal rate was 47% higher during the Endexo period (67.73%). Mean treatment times (208 vs. 205 min), blood flow rates (447.7 vs. 447.5 mL/min), dialysate flow rates (698.5 vs. 698.0 mL/min), urea reduction ratio (82 vs. 81%), and spKt/V (2.1 vs. 1.9) were comparable for the Endexo and Optiflux periods, respectively. The mean (SD) Kuf was 15.85 (10.33) mL/h/mm Hg during the first use of the dialyzer with Endexo (primary endpoint) and 16.36 (9.92) mL/h/mm Hg across the Endexo period. CONCLUSIONS: The safety of the novel dialyzer with Endexo was generally comparable to the Optiflux dialyzer, while exhibiting a higher ß2M removal rate.

Multiplex LC-MS/MS for simultaneous determination of 25-hydroxyvitamin D, 24,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3, albumin, and vitamin D-binding protein with its isoforms: One-step estimation of bioavailable vitamin D and vitamin D metabolite ratio.

Bioavailable vitamin D and vitamin D metabolite ratio (VMR) have emerged as potential novel vitamin D markers. We developed a multiplex liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method to determine all elements necessary for the calculation of bioavailable vitamin D and VMR, including 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25-(OH)D] and 24,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 [24,25-(OH)2D3], VDBP and its isoforms, and albumin. Following separate reactions of hexane extraction and trypsin digestion, serum samples were analyzed using LC-MS/MS to measure 25-(OH)D3, 25-(OH)D2, 24,25-(OH)2D3, VDBP and its isoforms, and albumin. Analytical performances were assessed. Korean (n = 229), Arab (n = 98), White (n = 99) and Black American (n = 99) samples were analyzed. Bioavailable vitamin D and VMR were calculated. All target molecules were clearly separated and accurately quantified by LC-MS/MS. Analytical performances, including imprecision, accuracy, ion suppression, limit of quantification, linearity, and comparison with existing methods were within acceptable levels. The allele frequencies of VDBP isoforms in various races resulted similar to previously known values. The levels of bioavailable vitamin D were highest in White Americans and lowest in Black Americans. We have successfully developed a multiplex LC-MS/MS-based assay method that can simultaneously perform the measurement of all parameters needed to calculate bioavailable vitamin D and VMR. Our devised method was robust and reliable in terms of analytical performances and could be applied to routine clinical samples in the future to more accurately assess vitamin D status.

High-permeability alternatives to current dialyzers performing both high-flux hemodialysis and postdilution online hemodiafiltration.

Most high-flux dialyzers can be used in both hemodialysis (HD) and online hemodiafiltration (OL-HDF). However, some of these dialyzers have higher permeability and should not be prescribed for OL-HDF to avoid high albumin losses. The aim of this study was to compare the safety and efficacy of a currently used dialyzer in HD and OL-HDF with those of several other high permeability dialyzers which should only be used in HD. A prospective, single-center study was carried out in 21 patients. Each patient underwent 5 dialysis sessions with routine dialysis parameters: 2 sessions with Helixone (HD and postdilution OL-HDF) and 1 session each with steam sterilized polyphenylene, polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA), and medium cut-off (MCO) dialyzers in HD treatment. The removal ratios (RR) of urea, creatinine, ß2 -microglobulin, myoglobin, prolactin, α1 -microglobulin, α1 -acid glycoprotein, and albumin were compared intraindividually. A proportional part of the dialysate was collected to quantify the loss of various solutes, including albumin. Urea and creatinine RRs with the Helixone-HDF and MCO dialyzers were higher than with the other 3 dialyzers in HD. The ß2 -microglobulin, myoglobin and prolactin RRs with Helixone-HDF treatment were significantly higher than those obtained with all 4 dialyzers in HD treatment. The ß2 -microglobulin value obtained with the MCO dialyzer was also higher than that obtained with the other 3 dialyzers in HD treatment. The myoglobin RR with MCO was higher than those obtained with Helixone and PMMA in HD treatment. The prolactin RR with Helixone-HD was significantly lower than those obtained in the other 4 study sessions. The α1 -microglobulin and α1 - acid glycoprotein RRs with Helixone-HDF were significantly higher than those obtained with Helixone and PMMA in HD treatment. The albumin loss varied from 0.54 g with Helixone-HD to 3.3 g with polyphenylene. The global removal score values ((UreaRR + ß2 -microglobulinRR + myoglobinRR + prolactinRR + α1 -microglobulinRR + α1 -acid glycoproteinRR - albuminRR )/6) were 43.7% with Helixone-HD, 47.7% with PMMA, 54% with polyphenylene, 54.8% with MCO and 59.6% with Helixone-HDF, with significant differences. In conclusion, this study confirms the superiority of OL-HDF over HD with the high-flux dialyzers that allow both treatments. Although new dialyzers with high permeability can only be used in HD, they are in an intermediate position and some are very close to OL-HDF.

Robust Serum Albumin-Responsive AIEgen Enables Latent Bloodstain Visualization in High Resolution and Reliability for Crime Scene Investigation.

Bloodstains provide admissible information for crime scene investigators. The ability to resolve latent bloodstains that are commonly found in real scenarios is therefore pivotal to public security. Here, we report a facile approach for invisible bloodstain visualization based on the click reaction between serum albumin and tetraphenylethene maleimide (TPE-MI), an aggregation-induced emission luminogen (AIEgen). Compared to the widely adopted methods based on the harsh catalytic oxidation activity of hemoglobin, this working principle benefits from the specificity of the mild catalyst-free thiol-ene click reaction that improves the reliability and resolution. In addition, the mild conditions preserve DNA information and bloodstain patterns, and the excellent photophysical properties of the AIEgen afford high sensitivity and stability (>1 yr). Such an excellent performance cannot be achieved by conventional AIEgens and aggregation-caused quenching luminogens with similar structures. TPE-MI outperforms the benchmark luminol-based technique in visualizing latent bloodstains as showcased in two mock crime scenes: spattered blood track and transfer blood fingerprint. This disclosed method is an advancement in forensic science that could inspire future development of technology for bloodstain visualization.

Medium Cut-Off Dialyzer versus Eight Hemodiafiltration Dialyzers: Comparison Using a Global Removal Score.

BACKGROUND: A novel class of membranes, medium cut-off (MCO) membranes, has recently been designed to achieve interesting removal capacities for middle and large middle molecules in hemodialysis (HD) treatments. The few studies published to date have reported contradictory results regarding middle-sized molecules when comparing MCO dialyzers versus dialyzers used in online hemodiafiltration (OL-HDF). METHODS: A prospective, single-center study was carried out in 22 patients. Each patient underwent 9 dialysis sessions with routine dialysis parameters, one with an MCO dialyzer in HD and the other 8 with different dialyzers in OL-HDF. The removal ratio (RR) of urea, creatinine, ß2-microglobulin, myoglobin, prolactin, α1-microglobulin, α1-acid glycoprotein, and albumin was intraindividually compared. Albumin loss in dialysate was measured. We propose a global removal score ([ureaRR + ß2-microglobulinRR + myoglobinRR + prolactinRR + α1-microglobulinRR + α1-acid glycoproteinRR]/6 - albuminRR) as a new tool for measuring dialyzer effectiveness. RESULTS: No significant differences in the RRs of small and middle molecular range molecules were observed between the MCO vs. OL-HDF dialyzers (range 60-80%). Lower RRs were found for α1-microglobulin and α1-acid glycoprotein without significant differences. The albumin RR was < 11% and dialysate albumin loss was < 3.5 g in all situations without significant differences. The global removal score was 54.9 ± 4.8% with the MCO dialyzer without significant differences. CONCLUSIONS: Removal of a wide range of molecular weights, calculated with the proposed global removal score, was almost equal with the MCO dialyzer in HD treatment compared with 8 high-flux dialyzers in high-volume OL-HDF without relevant changes in albumin loss. The global removal score could be a new tool to evaluate the effectiveness of dialyzers and/or different treatment modalities.

A carbon nanotube integrated microfluidic device for blood plasma extraction.

Blood is a complex fluid consisting of cells and plasma. Plasma contains key biomarkers essential for disease diagnosis and therapeutic monitoring. Thus, by separating plasma from the blood, it is possible to analyze these biomarkers. Conventional methods for plasma extraction involve bulky equipment, and miniaturization constitutes a key step to develop portable devices for plasma extraction. Here, we integrated nanomaterial synthesis with microfabrication, and built a microfluidic device. In particular, we designed a double-spiral channel able to perform cross-flow filtration. This channel was constructed by growing aligned carbon nanotubes (CNTs) with average inter-tubular distances of ~80 nm, which resulted in porosity values of ~93%. During blood extraction, these aligned CNTs allow smaller molecules (e.g., proteins) to pass through the channel wall, while larger molecules (e.g., cells) get blocked. Our results show that our device effectively separates plasma from blood, by trapping blood cells. We successfully recovered albumin -the most abundant protein inside plasma- with an efficiency of ~80%. This work constitutes the first report on integrating biocompatible nitrogen-doped CNT (CNxCNT) arrays to extract plasma from human blood, thus widening the bio-applications of CNTs.

Simultaneous Time-concentration Analysis of Soman and VX Adducts to Butyrylcholinesterase and Albumin by LC-MS-MS.

A sensitive method for the purification and determination of two protein adducts, organophosphorus (OP)-BChE and OP-albumin adducts, in a single sample using a simultaneous sample preparation method was developed and validated using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. First, we isolated O-ethyl S-2-diisopropylaminoethyl methyl phosphonothiolate (VX) and O-pinacolyl methylphosphonofluoridate (soman, GD)-BChE adducts using an immunomagnetic separation (IMS) method and the HiTrap™ Blue affinity column was subsequently used to isolate and purify VX and GD-albumin adducts from the plasma of rhesus monkeys exposed to nerve agents. Additionally, we examined the time-concentration profiles of two biomarkers, VX and GD-nonapeptides and VX and GD-tyrosines, derived from OP-BChE and OP-albumin adducts up to 8 weeks after exposure. Based on the results, we determined that VX and GD-tyrosine is more suitable than VX and GD-nonapeptide as a biomarker owing to its longevity. This integrated approach is expected to be applicable for the quantification of other OP-BChE and OP-albumin adducts in human plasma, thus serving as a potential generic assay for exposure to nerve agents.

An Electrokinetic Separation Route to Source Dialysate from Excess Fluid in Blood.

To improve the health of patients with end-stage renal disease, there is a clear need for slow, continuous hemodialysis, and the primary barrier to a wearable device is the requirement of a large reservoir of dialysate. We describe an electrokinetic means of producing dialysate from the excess fluid extant in the peripheral blood of patients undergoing therapy. A critical feature of this process is the retention of essential components of blood, especially serum albumin. In progress toward this goal, we demonstrate the separation of charged from neutral species in blood plasma at a branched microchannel junction by ion concentration polarization (ICP). Further, we introduce a method that reduces the opportunity for damage to proteins and prevents electrode biofouling. The present approach results in as high as 99.7% retention of albumin and successful separation of neutral metabolites and excess fluid to be utilized as a precursor to dialysate.

Albumin removal from human serum using surface nanopockets on silica-coated magnetic nanoparticles.

Selective removal of albumin from human serum is an essential step prior to proteomic analyses, especially when using mass spectrometry. Here we report stable synthetic nanopockets on magnetic nanoparticle surfaces that bind to human serum albumin (HSA) with high affinity and specificity. The nanopockets are created by templating HSA on 200 nm silica-coated paramagnetic nanoparticles using polymer layers made using 4 organo-silane monomers. These monomers have amino acid-like side chains providing hydrophobic, hydrophilic and H-bonding interactions that closely mimic features of binding sites on antibodies. The binding capacity of the material was 21 mg HSA g-1, and consistently removed ∼88% albumin from human serum in multiple repeated use.

Utility of Inflammatory Marker- and Nutritional Status-based Prognostic Factors for Predicting the Prognosis of Stage IV Gastric Cancer Patients Undergoing Non-curative Surgery.

BACKGROUND/AIM: The present study aimed to compare the utility of various inflammatory marker- and nutritional status-based prognostic factors, including many previous established prognostic factors, for predicting the prognosis of stage IV gastric cancer patients undergoing non-curative surgery. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 33 patients with stage IV gastric cancer who had undergone palliative gastrectomy and gastrojejunostomy were included in the study. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to evaluate the relationships between the mGPS, PNI, NLR, PLR, the CONUT, various clinicopathological factors and cancer-specific survival (CS). RESULTS: Among patients who received non-curative surgery, univariate analysis of CS identified the following significant risk factors: chemotherapy, mGPS and NLR, and multivariate analysis revealed that the mGPS was independently associated with CS. CONCLUSION: The mGPS was a more useful prognostic factor than the PNI, NLR, PLR and CONUT in patients undergoing non-curative surgery for stage IV gastric cancer.

Sample preparation for detection of low abundance proteins in human plasma using ultra-high performance liquid chromatography coupled with highly accurate mass spectrometry.

Proteomics is a valuable approach to discover biomarkers in human plasma for early diagnosis. However, detection of biomarkers in the plasma is still challenging because of its large protein content. In our study, we established albumin/IgG depletion methods for identification of low abundance proteins using two commercial kits with additional buffer conditions and various concentrations of cold acetone. Trypsin digestion, desalting, and data-dependent acquisition were also optimized. More than 80% depletion of albumin/IgG was achieved with two commercial kits and 98% depletion of albumin was obtained with 70% cold acetone. Recovery of four reference proteins, BNP (47-76), insulin, cytochrome c, and ubiquitin was obtained in all optimized methods. The best recovery of reference proteins was obtained using the ProteoExtract albumin/IgG removal kit with buffer A (61%-106%). After cold acetone precipitation, three reference proteins were recovered more than 48% except ubiquitin (12%). The number of identified proteins by Mascot was 28, 35, 17, and 34 for ProteoExtract, ProteoPrep, 70%, and 50% cold acetone, respectively. Furthermore, optimized methods detected MS/MS fragmentation patterns of elevated BNP in patient samples with cardiac disease. Our study provides the conditions for efficient biomarker discovery by minimal removing of high abundant proteins.

Adsorption of plasma proteins onto PEGylated single-walled carbon nanotubes: The effects of protein shape, PEG size and grafting density.

Single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) covalently functionalized or noncovalently coated with polyethylene glycol (PEG) of different sizes (Mw=2000 and 5000) and grafting densities (5-16 PEGs per SWCNT) are simulated with human fibrinogen (HFG) and serum albumin (HSA). Proteins migrate toward the SWCNT, but their adsorption extents differ. The extent of the HFG-SWCNT binding decreases with increasing PEG size and grafting density because PEGs more completely cover SWCNTs and thus block hydrophobic interactions between HFGs and SWCNTs, which occurs on PEG-functionalized SWCNTs but not on PEG-coated ones. In particular, the HFG-SWCNT binding significantly decreases in the transition region of PEG conformation from mushroom to brush, where PEGs extend like brushes as described in the Alexander-de Gennes theory. While the HFG adsorption is modulated by PEG conformation, the HSA adsorption is much weaker and less influenced by PEG, because spherical HSAs can bind to the restricted area of the SWCNT and thus cannot bind to the SWCNT as tightly as do linear HFGs. These findings agree with experiments showing less adsorption of proteins on the SWCNT functionalized with larger and more PEGs, and support experimental suggestions regarding the dependence of protein adsorption on protein shape and the mushroom-brush transition of PEG conformation.

Dual-targeting peptide probe for sequence- and structure-sensitive sensing of serum albumin.

Peptide-protein interactions mediate numerous biologic processes and provide great opportunity for developing peptide probes and analytical approaches for detecting and interfering with recognition events. Molecular interactions usually take place on the heterogeneous surface of proteins, and the spatial distribution and arrangement of probes are therefore crucial for achieving high specificity and sensitivity in the bioassays. In this study, small linear peptides, homogenous peptide dimers and hetero bivalent peptides were designed for site-specific recognition of human serum albumin (HSA). Three hydrophilic regions located at different subdomains of HSA were chosen as targets for the molecular design. The binding affinity, selectivity and kinetics of the candidates were screened with surface plasmon resonance imaging (SPRi) and fluoroimmuno assays. Benefiting from the synergistic effect from the surface-targeted peptide binders and the flexible spacer, a heterogenetic dimer peptide (heter-7) with fast binding and slow dissociation behavior was identified as the optimized probe. Heter-7 specifically recognizes the target protein HSA, and effectively blocks the binding of antibody to HSA. Its inhibitory activity was estimated as 83nM. It is noteworthy that heter-7 can distinguish serum albumins from different species despite high similarities in sequence and structure of these proteins. This hetero bivalent peptide shows promise for use in serum proteomics, disease detection and drug transport, and provides an effective approach for promoting the affinity and selectivity of ligands to achieve desirable chemical and biological outcomes.

Efficient expression of stable recombinant human insulin-like growth factor-1 fusion with human serum albumin in Chinese hamster ovary cells.

Insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) plays a crucial role in cell development, differentiation, and metabolism, and has been a potential therapeutic agent for many diseases. Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells are widely used for production of recombinant therapeutic proteins, but the expression level of IGF-1 in CHO cells is very low (1,500 µg/L) and the half-life of IGF-1 in blood circulation is only 4.5 min according to previous studies. Therefore, IGF-1 was fused to long-circulating serum protein human serum albumin (HSA) and expressed in CHO cells. After 8-day fed-batch culture, the expression level of HSA-IGF-1 reached 100 mg/L. The fusion protein HSA-IGF-1 was purified with a recovery of 35% using a two-step chromatographic procedure. According to bioactivity assay, the purified HSA-IGF-1 could stimulate the proliferation of NIH3T3 cells in a dose-dependent fashion and promote the cell-cycle progression. Besides this, HSA-IGF-1 could bind to IGF-1 receptor on cell membrane and activate the intracellular PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. Our study suggested that HSA fusion technology carried out in CHO cells not only provided bioactivity in HSA-IGF-1 for further research but also offered a beneficial strategy to produce other similar cytokines in CHO cells.

The dynamics of contract plasma fractionation.

Plasma Derived Medicinal Products (PMDPs) are an essential component of the modern therapeutic armamentarium. They are differentiated from most other medicines in several ways, particularly the unique nature of the raw material used for their manufacture. Human plasma has been fractionated to PDMPs for the past 75 years, and the economics of manufacturing requires currently that as many products are harvested from each litre as is feasible and reflective of clinical needs. PDMPs may be purchased on the open market from the various commercial and not-for-profit (NFP) manufacturers. They may also be manufactured under contract (CM) from plasma supplied by government and similar agencies as a product of blood transfusion services. Clients for CM aspire to make full use of donated plasma, hence maximizing the donors' gift after the standard components of transfusion have been harvested. Many such countries also aspire to making their national clinical needs self-sufficient in PDMPs, attempting to acquire strategic independence from the vagaries of the commercial open market. The increasing commercial imperatives operating in the PMDP sector generate a tension with such ethical aspirations which are not easily resolved. In particular, the need to harvest as many proteins as possible may generate products which are surplus to national needs, necessitating an ethical paradigm for the optimal provision of such products. In addition, traditional relationships between blood services and domestic fractionation agencies may come under stress as a result of the competitive processes underpinning such transactions, which are now subject to international norms of free trade. Blood services engaged in the supply of hospital transfusion components are detached from the pharmaceutical Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) culture needed for the production of plasma for CM, while the generation of such plasma through extraction from whole blood donations deflects the focus from that of a dedicated raw material for CM to a byproduct of the donation process. We review the field of CM, assess the current tensions within the sector, and offer suggestions for the strategic positioning of governments and other clients to ensure optimal outcomes for all the stakeholders involved.

Engineering potent long-acting variants of the Wnt inhibitor DKK2.

Wnt signaling pathways are required for a wide variety of biological processes ranging from embryonic development to tissue repair and regeneration. Dickkopf-2 (DKK2) is classically defined as a canonical Wnt inhibitor, though it may play a role in activating non-canonical Wnt pathways in the context of endothelial network formation after acute injury. Here we report the discovery of a fusion partner for a DKK2 polypeptide that significantly improves the expression, biochemical properties and pharmacokinetics (PK) of the DKK2 polypeptide. Specifically, human serum albumin (HSA) was identified as a highly effective fusion partner. Substitution of selected amino acid residues in DKK2 designed to decrease heparan sulfate binding by HSA-DKK2 variants, further improved the PK properties of the molecule in rodents. The HSA-DKK2 variants were monomeric, as thermally stable as wild type, and active as measured by their ability to bind to and prevent phosphorylation of the Wnt coreceptor LRP6. Our engineering efforts resulted in potent long-lived variants of the canonical Wnt inhibitor DKK2, applicable for Wnt pathway manipulation either by systematic delivery or focused administration at sites of tissue injury.

An innovative ring-shaped electroeluter for high concentration preparative isolation of protein from polyacrylamide gel.

A ring-shaped electroeluter (RSE) was designed for protein recovery from polyacrylamide gel matrix. The RSE was designed in such a way that a ring-shaped well was used to place gel slices and an enrichment well was used to collect eluted protein samples. With HSA as model protein, the electroelution time was less than 30 min with 80% recovery rate, and the concentration of recovered protein was 50 times higher than that of conventional method. The RSE could be reused at least ten times. The developed device makes great advance towards economic electroelution of biomolecules (such as proteins) from gel matrix.

Preparation and characterization of pH-responsive polyacrylamide molecularly imprinted polymer: Application to isolation of recombinant and wild type human serum albumin from biological sources.

In this work pH-responsive neutral and cationic polyacrylamide molecularly imprinted polymers (nMIP and cMIP, respectively) were prepared for separation of recombinant and wild type human serum albumin (HSA, pI 4.7) using mixture of polymerization initiators. The effect of pH during preparation and adsorption stages at pI(HSA)±2.0 on binding capacity and selectivity; imprinting factor (IF) was thoroughly investigated. SE-HPLC and RP-HPLC were employed for thorough evaluation of the stability of HSA at the studied experimental conditions and for simultaneous determination of HSA and erythropoietin (EPO) in their mixtures, respectively. Results showed that nMIP were generally superior to cMIP, where nMIP prepared at pH 2.7 and tested at pH 6.7 showed superior binding characteristics (IF 42.91). The pH at the preparation stage imposed minimal effect on the stability of HSA owing to entrapment of HSA within the polymer network. Adsorption experiments carried out at pH 2.7, regardless of polymer type and pH of preparation revealed poor selectivity. Adsorption of HSA onto MIP followed Sips model with pseudo second-order kinetics. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed a rough surface for MIP and a smooth one with wider pore diameter for non-imprinted polymer (NIP). Successful separation of recombinant HSA from its binary mixture with EPO and wild type HSA from crude plasma was demonstrated using RP-HPLC. This suggested that MIP should be applicable for downstream purification of therapeutic grade HSA at scale either from plasma or recombinant sources and isolation of HSA from plasma for diagnostic purposes.

Cu2+-attached pumice particles embedded composite cryogels for protein purification.

In this study, chromatographic performance of Cu2+-attached pumice particles embedded to monolithic cryogels (Cu2+-APPsEMC) for human serum albumin (HSA) was investigated. Monolithic composite cryogels were prepared by means of polymerization of gel-forming precursors at sub-zero temperatures. The chemical composition of pumice and surface of composite cryogels were determined by X-ray fluorescence spectrometer and scanning electron microscopy, respectively. The highest adsorption capacity (549.5 mg/g pumice) of cryogels was achieved at phosphate buffer of pH 8.0 with initial HSA solution of 3 mg/ml. SDS-PAGE analysis was performed for the samples studied on human serum to determine HSA adsorption/desorption performance of cryogel qualitatively.

Fabrication of diverse pH-sensitive functional mesoporous silica for selective removal or depletion of highly abundant proteins from biological samples.

In proteomic studies, poor detection of low abundant proteins is a major problem due to the presence of highly abundant proteins. Therefore, the specific removal or depletion of highly abundant proteins prior to analysis is necessary. In response to this problem, a series of pH-sensitive functional mesoporous silica materials composed of 2-(diethylamino)ethyl methacrylate and methacrylic acid units were designed and synthesized via atom transfer radical polymerization. These functional mesoporous silica materials were characterized and their ability for adsorption and separation of proteins was evaluated. Possessing a pH-sensitive feature, the synthesized functional materials showed selective adsorption of some proteins in aqueous or buffer solutions at certain pH values. The specific removal of a particular protein from a mixed protein solution was subsequently studied. The analytical results confirmed that all the target proteins (bovine serum albumin, ovalbumin, and lysozyme) can be removed by the proposed materials from a five-protein mixture in a single operation. Finally, the practical application of this approach was also evaluated by the selective removal of certain proteins from real biological samples. The results revealed that the maximum removal efficiencies of ovalbumin and lysozyme from egg white sample were obtained as 99% and 92%, respectively, while the maximum removal efficiency of human serum albumin from human serum sample was about 80% by the proposed method. It suggested that this treatment process reduced the complexity of real biological samples and facilitated the identification of hidden proteins in chromatograms.