[Separation of interleukin-18 on a weak anion exchange monolithic column]

A weak anion exchange column was prepared and a separation method of interleukin-18 (IL-18) was developed on the column. The chromatographic column with glycidyl methacrylate as functional monomer and ethylene dimethacrylate as cross-linker was prepared by a free radical polymerization within a 64 mm x 4.6 mm i.d. column. The epoxide groups of the column were modified by a reaction with diethylamine that affords ionizable functionalities required for ion exchange chromatography. The influences of the contents of the cross-linker and porogen on column pressure were investigated. The factors influencing the separation, such as stationary phases, buffers, pH values, salts, and contents of organic solvent, were studied. The optimal conditions for separating IL-18 from its related proteins were obtained. The proposed method is simple, sensitive, rapid and reproducible.