HIV Removal by MOF-Based Microspheres: A Potential Adsorbent for Hemoadsorption

At present, AIDS remains a significant global health issue that requires ongoing attention. Although there is no practical cure for AIDS, hemoadsorption can effectively remove the virus from the blood and may serve as a promising treatment strategy. In this research, cellulose acetate/metal–organic framework composite beads (CA/MIL-125) with interconnected macropores were first fabricated using a one-step phase inversion method and then applied as a viral hemoadsorbent for the treatment of AIDS. The results showed that CA/MIL-125 exhibited excellent specific surface areas (221.17 m2 g–1) and an interconnected macropore structure, which allows HIV molecules to be transported freely within the pores of the beads. The CA/MIL-125 composite beads reached a 97.37% adsorption rate of HIV in plasma, which was 90 times higher than that of pure cellulose acetate (CA) microspheres, demonstrating that MIL-125 played a dominant role in HIV adsorption. Furthermore, the adsorption of CA/MIL-125 on HIV primarily obeys the pseudo-second-order kinetics and Freundlich model, with a maximum adsorption capacity (Qm) of 642.2 ng g–1. Tests for hemolysis, coagulation time, and cytotoxicity confirmed that CA/MIL-125 had good blood compatibility and biocompatibility. This study presents an effective strategy for HIV adsorption through hemoperfusion, suggesting a promising new treatment approach for AIDS.