Comprehensive analysis of cytokine adsorption properties of polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) membrane material

In this study, we comprehensively analyzed the adsorption of 48 different cytokines in human plasma to PMMA and polysulfone (PS) membranes. Seventy-nine percent (38/48) of the cytokines were adsorbed more efficiently to the PMMA membrane than the PS membrane, which indicates that the PMMA membrane has high cytokine adsorption ability. The adsorption rate tended to be higher for the cytokines with lower molecular weight, and there was a significant correlation between the molecular weight of the cytokines and the adsorption rates. Electron microscopy showed that the PMMA hollow fiber membrane had a uniform internal structure from the inner to the outer layers of the membrane and had nano-pores inside the membrane that may have contributed to the adsorption of proteins with a specific molecular weight range. The clinical efficacy of a PMMA membrane hemofilter with cytokine adsorption properties against septic AKI needs further investigation including the evaluation of filtration performance of the hemofilters.
Source: Journal of Artificial Organs - Category: Transplant Surgery Source Type: research