A method of treating inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) comprises providing an intestinal biopsy sample obtained from inflamed tissue of a patient； mechanically treating the sample to obtain a cell suspension； identifying cell surface markers of activated leukocytes selected from T lymphocytes, neutrophil granulocytes, and eosinophil granulocytes in the suspension； raising antibodies against one of more of the activated cells and immobilizing them on a support； providing a column loaded with the support； diverting a portion of the patient's peripheral blood to make it pass through the column before re-infusing it to the patient to make the activated leukocytes couple with antibodies on the support, thereby eliminating them from the blood stream. Also disclosed are corresponding columns and supports, and their use in the method.
