Study of the reaction mechanism between cellulose acetate (Separax) membrane and IgM-κ type M-protein

Abstract

The reaction of a human IgM-κ type M-protein with cellulose acetate (Separax) membrane is described. When a membrane consisting of diacetylcellulose and triacetylcellulose (1:1) was used, the M-protein showed a strong reactivity with this membrane. However, this strong reactivity was absent when a Separax membrane containing hydroxypropylcellulose an electro-osmosis removal reagent was used. Likewise, alkaline saponification of the membrane, changing acetyl groups into hydroxyl groups, did not show reactivity with the M-protein. A patient studied had no history of hemodialysis using a cellulose membrane. Therefore, the possibility exists that the reaction between acetyl groups of the Separax membrane and the patient's M-protein is due to immunological cross reactivity.