A study of macromolecular diffusion through native porcine mucus
1992; Birkhäuser; Volume: 48; Issue: 1 Linguagem: Inglês
10.1007/bf01923598
ISSN0014-4754
AutoresMohamed A. Desai, Mehmet Mutlu, Pankaj Vadgama,
Tópico(s)Protein purification and stability
ResumoA diffusion chamber technique based on time-lag analysis for the estimation of effective diffusion coefficients of radiolabelled macromolecules of varying molecular weights through native mucus gel is reported. For all solutes studied, a reduction in effective diffusion coefficients was observed with a retardation of solute flux in both aqueus and mucus layers. Over the molecular weight range of solutes investigated (126–186 000 Daltons), a consistent effect of molecular weight was evident with regard to the retarding effect of mucus. No apparent or absolute molecular weight cut-off for macromolecular transfer was exhibited. However, at high molecular weights (>30 000 Daltons) the retardation was greatly enhanced. The results confirm that mucus can be regarded as a gel with finite pores, but that it does not constitute an absolute barrier to even high molecular weight solutes.
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