Interaction of metallic ions with basement membranes

Abstract

The interaction mechanism of metallic ions (electrolytes) with basement membrane was studied by diffusion and membrane potential measurements, as well as spectroscopic investigation. The diffusion measurements show that the diffusion velocity depends upon the charges of metallic ions, and that the thermodynamic equilibrium cannot be reached when a basement membrane is placed in the way. The potential study confirms the presence of membrane potential during the diffusion process. The mobility of ions (anion and cation) was modified within membrane, compared with that in pure water. Anions diffuse faster than cations inside the membrane. Spectroscopic measurements indicate the possibility of a chemical bond formation between the complexable ions and the internal functional groups of membrane. The results obtained from these studies allowed us to propose a possible interaction mechanism: a double layer is formed inside the basement membrane due to electrostatic interaction and chemical complexation. This double layer acts as a barrier against the further diffusion process, and makes the system become a non-equilibrium one.