Apparatus for enhancing immune responses in mammals

A method for stimulating an immune response in a mammal having a pathological condition, comprising:

• (a) obtaining a biological fluid from a mammal;
• (b) separating the acellular component of the biological fluid containing a targeted immune system inhibitor from the cellular component of the biological fluid;
• (c) contacting the acellular component containing the targeted immune system inhibitor with a binding partner capable of specifically binding to the targeted immune system inhibitor;
• (d) isolating the binding partner bound to the targeted immune system inhibitor from the acellular component to produce an altered acellular component;
• (e) combining the altered acellular component with the cellular component to produce an altered biological fluid;
• and
• (f) administering the altered biological fluid to the mammal.

An apparatus for reducing the amount of a targeted immune system inhibitor in a biological fluid, comprising:

• (a) a means for separating the biological fluid into a cellular component and an acellular component or fraction thereof;
• (b) an absorbent matrix comprising an inert medium attached to a binding partner to produce an altered acellular component or fraction thereof having a reduced amount of the targeted immune system inhibitor, wherein the acellular component or fraction thereof is in fluid communication with the absorbent matrix;
• and
• (c) a means for combining the cellular fraction with the altered acellular component or fraction of the biological fluid to produce an altered biological fluid.

An apparatus for reducing the amount of a targeted immune system inhibitor in a biological fluid, comprising:

• (a) a means for separating the biological fluid into a cellular component and an acellular component or fraction thereof;
• (b) a mixing chamber in which the acellular component, or fraction thereof, is exposed to a binding partner to form a binding partner/immune system inhibitor complex;
• (c) a means for removing the binding partner/immune system inhibitor complex to produce an altered acellular component, or fraction thereof, having a reduced amount of the targeted immune system inhibitor, wherein the means for removing the complex is by mechanical means or by chemical or biological means;
• and,
• (d) a means for combining the cellular fraction with the altered acellular component or fraction of the biological fluid to produce an altered biological fluid.