Depletion of macromolecules

Recent experimental advances have made quantitation of weak membrane adhesion possible in concentrated solutions of macromolecules. We report direct measurements of the free energy potential for adhesion of phospholipid Dilayers in solutions of two plasma proteins (fibrinogen and albumin) over a wide range of volume fraction (Q-0.1). Tne results are consistent with a thermodynamic model for adhesion based on depletion of macromolecules from the contact zone. 

Two diverse views of non-specific adhesion processes form the bases for contemporary theories introduced to rationalize observations of colloidal stability and flocculation in solutions of macromolecules (see 16-18 for general reviews). The first view is based on adsorption and cross-bridging of the macromolecules between surfaces. Theories derived from this concept indicate a strong initial dependence on concentration of macromolecules there is a rapid rise in surface adsorption for infinitesimal volume fractions (32) followed by a plateau with gradual attenuation of surface-surface attraction because of excluded volume effects in the gap at larger volume fractions (19-20). The interaction of the macroinolecule with the surface is assumed to be a snort range attraction proportional to area of direct contact. The second - completely disparate - view of non-specific adhesion is based on the concept that there is an exclusion or depletion of macromolecules in the vicinity of the surface, i.e. no adsorption to the surfaces. Here, theory shows that attraction is caused by interaction of tne (depleted) concentration profiles associated with each surface which leads to a depreciated macrornolecular concentration at the center of the gap. The concentration... 

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