A new method for removing endotoxin from plasma using hemocompatible affinity chromatography technology, applicable for extracorporeal treatment of septic patients.

The pathogenesis of sepsis begins with the proliferation of micro-organisms at a site of infection, followed by invasion of the bloodstream and other organs. Gram-negative bacteria account for a large part of sepsis cases. The structural component of Gram-negative bacteria, endotoxin or lipopolysaccharide (LPS), induces the synthesis and release of endogenous mediators of sepsis. A growing number of investigations of the molecular mechanisms occurring in sepsis, point to endotoxin as a central mediator leading to multi-organ failure and death. In numerous clinical trials, attempts to target molecules downstream of endotoxin have been made, but have not been associated with improved survival. We describe an affinity-based system for the selective removal of endotoxin from plasma. The small-scale device, a 1.5 ml cartridge, contains beads that bind endotoxin with high specificity and efficiency. In addition, evidence is presented that this device does not affect plasma hemostasis, nor does it activate the complement system. Taken together, these results represent a proof of principle for endotoxin removal from plasma, which may be of clinical value to treat sepsis by extracorporeal circulation of the blood through a scaled-up version of this endotoxin-removing device.