Assessment of complement activation during membrane-based plasmapheresis procedures.

Area of Science:

• Immunology
• Biomedical Engineering
• Hematology

Background:

• Plasmapheresis procedures can activate the complement system, leading to anaphylatoxin release.
• Understanding complement activation is crucial for assessing the biocompatibility of apheresis devices.

Purpose of the Study:

• To quantify C3a/C3a(des Arg) and C5a/C5a(des Arg) in plasma collected via the Haemonetics Filter Core (FC) procedure.
• To compare complement activation levels between the FC system and the Baxter Autopheresis C (Auto-C) system.

Main Methods:

• Plasma samples from donors using FC (N=34) and Auto-C (N=30, 10) were analyzed for C3a and C5a levels.
• Measurements were taken at collection and after various storage durations (up to 18 months).
• FC utilizes sequential centrifugation and microporous polyethersulfone membrane filtration; Auto-C uses simultaneous gravitation and nylon membrane filtration.

Main Results:

• FC plasma exhibited significantly lower mean C3a/C3a(des Arg) levels (1,151 ng/ml at collection) compared to Auto-C plasma (>4,149 ng/ml after 3 months).
• C5a/C5a(des Arg) levels were also generally lower in FC plasma (26.6 ng/ml at collection) than Auto-C (32.1 ng/ml after 18 months).
• Complement activation was notably limited in FC plasmas relative to Auto-C plasmas.

Conclusions:

• The Haemonetics Filter Core (FC) procedure demonstrates limited complement activation compared to the Baxter Autopheresis C (Auto-C) system.
• This suggests potentially superior biocompatibility of the FC device and its sequential centrifugation/filtration technology.
• Further research is warranted to elucidate the mechanisms behind these differences and their clinical implications.