Modalities for the removal of beta 2-microglobulin from blood.
The long-term accumulation of beta(2)-microglobulin (beta(2)M) in patients with kidney failure results in a debilitating condition referred to as dialysis-related amyloidosis (DRA). There have been few methods specifically designed to remove the large quantities of beta(2)M that are produced by the body. This article briefly reviews current modalities and concepts for the removal of beta(2)M from blood. The various approaches are classified according to the mechanism of beta(2)M clearance. The potential application of immunoadsorption, a biologically specific approach to remove macromolecules, in the treatment and understanding of DRA is discussed.
Department of Chemical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, USA.
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D000686:Amyloidosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D017583:Hemodiafiltration; D006801:Humans; D007163:Immunosorbent Techniques; D006435:Renal Dialysis / Q000009:adverse effects; D001613:beta 2-Microglobulin / Q000097:blood*
D001613:beta 2-Microglobulin