Development and Preliminary Evaluation of a Leukocyte Removal Aptamer Filter

Lee, Yangwon; Jung, Eun Suk; Choi, Kyoung Young; Kim, Myung Han; Kwon, So Yong; Cho, Nam Sun; Kim, Jin Sook; Park, Han Jeong; Han, Byoung Don; Yoon, Soo Young

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Leukocyte reduction filters are widely used to prevent transfusion reactions caused by leukocytes in blood components. Commercial filters are not sufficient for removal of leukocytes for prevention of transfusion associated graft-versus-host disease; therefore, irradiation of blood components was performed using expensive equipment. Techniques using an aptamer substituted for antibody have been developed and are available in clinical areas. The purpose of this study is to develop the aptamer filter system and to evaluate its efficiency and the possibility of its clinical application.
METHODS
Aptamers targeted to CD45 were selected by the Postech Aptamer Initiative. The aptamer filter in which aptamers attached to beads were bound to leukocytes and removed by magnetic field was developed. Filtration of 14 units of leukoreduction-red blood provided by Korean Red Cross Blood Services was performed using aptamer filters. Leukocyte removal rate and red cell recovery rate were evaluated and bacterial culture was performed.
RESULTS
After filtration using the aptamer filters, 45.6% of leukocytes were additionally removed and the red cell recovery rate was 92.8%. No growth in the bacterial culture was observed.
CONCLUSION
In order to apply the cell depletion technique utilizing an aptamer to blood filter system, we developed and evaluated the aptamer filter system. Through improvement of the binding efficiency of the aptamer and the filtering process, and application of the various aptamers for other different cells, we suggest that this technique can be applied in the clinical area, such as a substitution for the irradiation process for TAGVHD prevention.