I am focusing on the cellular uptake of some nanoparticles. These particles can only stably exist in buffered systems containing EDTA. It has been reported that EDTA influence the permeability of outer membrane of bacteria. Dose it influence the permeability of cell membrane, subsequently influence the cellular uptake?
Lan Mei,
EDTA is a divalent anion at a ph of 7.0... So, it floats around having a -2 change... It is a scavenger of Divalent cations...
So, the real problem is that EDTA in any type of cell culture system (mammalian, bacterial, etc) will scavenge up the available calcium ions....
In fact, EDTA is often used to cause adhesion cells to detach from the cell culture flask or plate. I often use PBS with a 2 to 10 mM concentration of EDTA INSTEAD of using trypsin. The EDTA scavenges up all the calcium in the solution and eventually from the cell. This causes the cells to lose adhesion to the extracellular matrix protein.
And that's fine for a short time, but if you deprive cells of calcium for too long, they will first cease many of their normal functions and then they will die.
So, yes, I would absolutely expect EDTA to impede the cellular uptake of nano-particles...
Although, I would love to read about your research... Maybe I could help you find a work around...
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