Method for removal of viruses from blood by lectin affinity hemodialysis

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method for using lectins that bind to pathogens having high mannose surface glycoproteins or fragments thereof which contain high mannose glycoproteins, to remove them from infected blood or plasma in an extracorporeal setting. Accordingly, the present invention provides a method for reducing viral load in an individual comprising the steps of obtaining blood or plasma from the individual, passing the blood or plasma through a porous hollow fiber membrane wherein lectin molecules are immobilized within the porous exterior portion of the membrane, collecting pass-through blood or plasma and reinfusing the pass-through blood or plasma into the individual.

1 . (canceled) 
     
     
         2 . A method of binding viral particles to an affinity matrix comprising:
 contacting an affinity matrix comprising an immobilized lectin with viral particles, wherein the immobilized lectin is selected from the group consisting of  Galanthus nivalis  agglutinin (GNA),  Narcissus pseudonarcissus  agglutinin (NPA), cyanovirin, and Conconavalin A, and mixtures thereof.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the affinity matrix comprises agarose, glass, polysulfone, polyethylsulfone, polyamide, polyimide, cellulose acetate, polyacrylamide, or aminocelite. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the affinity matrix comprises an ultrafiltration membrane. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the affinity matrix further comprises a linker. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the linker comprises avidin, streptavidin, biotin, protein A, or protein G. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the affinity matrix is provided in a cartridge. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the cartridge is configured to receive blood or plasma from an individual, pass the blood or plasma to the affinity matrix, and permit the blood or plasma to exit the cartridge after the blood or plasma has contacted the affinity matrix. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 7 , further comprising reinfusing the blood or plasma to the individual after the blood or plasma has exited the cartridge. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the viral particles are from Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the viral particles are from Human Hepatitis C Virus (HCV). 
     
     
         12 . A method of binding lectin binding fragments of viral particles to an affinity matrix comprising:
 contacting an affinity matrix comprising an immobilized lectin with lectin binding fragments of viral particles, wherein the immobilized lectin is selected from the group consisting of  Galanthus nivalis  agglutinin (GNA),  Narcissus pseudonarcissus  agglutinin (NPA), cyanovirin, and Conconavalin A, and mixtures thereof.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the affinity matrix comprises agarose, glass, polysulfone, polyethylsulfone, polyamide, polyimide, cellulose acetate, polyacrylamide, or aminocelite. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the affinity matrix comprises an ultrafiltration membrane. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the affinity matrix further comprises a linker. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the linker comprises avidin, streptavidin, biotin, protein A, or protein G. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the affinity matrix is provided in a cartridge. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the cartridge is configured to receive blood or plasma from an individual, pass the blood or plasma to the affinity matrix, and permit the blood or plasma to exit the cartridge after the blood or plasma has contacted the affinity matrix. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising reinfusing the blood or plasma to the individual after the blood or plasma has exited the cartridge. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the lectin binding fragments of viral particles are from Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the lectin binding fragments of viral particles are from Human Hepatitis C Virus (HCV).