Osmotic Transport across Cell Membranes in Nondilute Solutions: A New Nondilute Solute Transport Equation

• Published in: Biophysical journal 2009-04, Vol.96 (7), p.2559-2571
• Main Authors: Elmoazzen, Heidi Y., Elliott, Janet A.W., McGann, Locksley E.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Biological Transport; Biophysical Theory and Modeling; Biophysics; Cell Membrane - metabolism; Cells; Cornea - cytology; Epithelial Cells - cytology; Epithelial Cells - metabolism; Humans; Membranes; Models, Biological; Osmosis; Solutions - metabolism; Solvents - metabolism; Water
• ISSN: 0006-3495; 1542-0086
• DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2008.12.3929

The fundamental physical mechanisms of water and solute transport across cell membranes have long been studied in the field of cell membrane biophysics. Cryobiology is a discipline that requires an understanding of osmotic transport across cell membranes under nondilute solution conditions, yet many of the currently-used transport formalisms make limiting dilute solution assumptions. While dilute solution assumptions are often appropriate under physiological conditions, they are rarely appropriate in cryobiology. The first objective of this article is to review commonly-used transport equations, and the explicit and implicit assumptions made when using the two-parameter and the Kedem-Katchalsky formalisms. The second objective of this article is to describe a set of transport equations that do not make the previous dilute solution or near-equilibrium assumptions. Specifically, a new nondilute solute transport equation is presented. Such nondilute equations are applicable to many fields including cryobiology where dilute solution conditions are not often met. An illustrative example is provided. Utilizing suitable transport equations that fit for two permeability coefficients, fits were as good as with the previous three-parameter model (which includes the reflection coefficient, σ). There is less unexpected concentration dependence with the nondilute transport equations, suggesting that some of the unexpected concentration dependence of permeability is due to the use of inappropriate transport equations.