Extracorporeal removal of microvesicular particles

Abstract

The invention described herein teaches methods of removing microvesicular particles, which include but are not limited to exosomes, from the systemic circulation of a subject in need thereof with the goal of reversing antigen-specific and antigen-nonspecific immune suppression. Said microvesicular particles could be generated by host cells that have been reprogrammed by neoplastic tissue, or the neoplastic tissue itself. Compositions of matter, medical devices, and novel utilities of existing medical devices are disclosed.

1 - 88 . (canceled) 
     
     
         89 . A composition comprising isolated exosomes having HIV antigens bound to anti-HIV monoclonal antibodies, wherein said anti-HIV monoclonal antibodies are conjugated to a substrate. 
     
     
         90 . The composition of  claim 89 , wherein said substrate is an affinity matrix. 
     
     
         91 . The composition of  claim 89 , wherein said substrate comprises beads. 
     
     
         92 . The composition of  claim 91 , wherein said beads are magnetic. 
     
     
         93 . The composition of  claim 91 , wherein said beads are fluorescent. 
     
     
         94 . The composition of  claim 89 , wherein said substrate comprises a silica gel, dextran, agarose, a nylon polymer, an acrylic acid polymer, a co-polymer of ethylene and maleic acid anhydride, aminopropylsilica, aminocelite, glass beads, or silicate containing diatomaceous earth. 
     
     
         95 . The composition of  claim 89 , wherein the substrate is a filter membrane. 
     
     
         96 . The composition of  claim 89 , wherein said composition comprises a plurality of filter membranes arranged in sequence. 
     
     
         97 . The composition of  claim 89 , wherein said substrate is a capillary dialysis tubing. 
     
     
         98 . A method of capturing exosomes having HIV antigens comprising:
 selecting a patient for capture of exosomes; and   contacting a substrate that comprises anti-HIV monoclonal antibodies with exosomes that have HIV antigens obtained from said patient.   
     
     
         99 . The method of  claim 98 , wherein said substrate is an affinity matrix. 
     
     
         100 . The method of  claim 98 , wherein said substrate comprises a silica gel, dextran, agarose, a nylon polymer, an acrylic acid polymer, a co-polymer of ethylene and maleic acid anhydride, aminopropylsilica, aminocelite, glass beads, or silicate containing diatomaceous earth. 
     
     
         101 . The method of  claim 98 , wherein said substrate is a filter membrane. 
     
     
         102 . The method of  claim 98 , wherein said substrate comprises a plurality of filter membranes arranged in sequence. 
     
     
         103 . The method of  claim 98 , further comprising selecting a patient having spontaneous T cell apoptosis for capture of exosomes. 
     
     
         104 . A method of capturing exosomes having HIV antigens comprising:
 selecting a patient possessing exosomes capable of inducing T cell apoptosis; and   contacting a substrate that comprises anti-HIV monoclonal antibodies with exosomes that have HIV antigens obtained from said patient.   
     
     
         105 . The method of  claim 104 , wherein said substrate is an affinity matrix. 
     
     
         106 . The method of  claim 104 , wherein said substrate comprises a silica gel, dextran, agarose, a nylon polymer, an acrylic acid polymer, a co-polymer of ethylene and maleic acid anhydride, aminopropylsilica, aminocelite, glass beads, or silicate containing diatomaceous earth. 
     
     
         107 . The method of  claim 104 , wherein said substrate is a filter membrane. 
     
     
         108 . The method of  claim 104 , wherein said substrate comprises a plurality of filter membranes arranged in sequence.