A search for apatite crystals in the gap zone of collagen fibrils in bone using dark-field illumination

Schwarcz, Henry P.; Binkley, Dakota M; Luo, Lucy; Grandfield, Kathryn

doi:10.1016/j.bone.2020.115304

Cited by 24 publications

(28 citation statements)

References 31 publications

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“…We note that a similar scenario was suggested as far back as 1992 by Traub et al based on the observation of needle-like crystals in the early stages of turkey tendon mineralization 12 . We emphasize that the final intrafibrillar mineral principally comprises crystalline HAp nanoplatelets, rather than needle-like crystals 60 or ACP 61 as suggested by some dark-field TEM (DFTEM) studies. These discrepancies may be related to the fact that only a small fraction of the total diffraction signals were used to form DFTEM images.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 67%

Intermolecular channels direct crystal orientation in mineralized collagen

et al. 2020

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The mineralized collagen fibril is the basic building block of bone, and is commonly pictured as a parallel array of ultrathin carbonated hydroxyapatite (HAp) platelets distributed throughout the collagen. This orientation is often attributed to an epitaxial relationship between the HAp and collagen molecules inside 2D voids within the fibril. Although recent studies have questioned this model, the structural relationship between the collagen matrix and HAp, and the mechanisms by which collagen directs mineralization remain unclear. Here, we use XRD to reveal that the voids in the collagen are in fact cylindrical pores with diameters of ~2 nm, while electron microscopy shows that the HAp crystals in bone are only uniaxially oriented with respect to the collagen. From in vitro mineralization studies with HAp, CaCO3 and γ-FeOOH we conclude that confinement within these pores, together with the anisotropic growth of HAp, dictates the orientation of HAp crystals within the collagen fibril.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 67%

Intermolecular channels direct crystal orientation in mineralized collagen

et al. 2020

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“…[1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8] In general, the hierarchical architectures of biominerals are composed of micrometric building blocks. 9,10 The detailed structures of calcium-based biominerals, such as seashells, 11 pearls, 12 eggshells, 13 coccoliths, 14,15 foraminifera, 16 corals, 17 bones, 18,19 and teeth, [20][21][22] have been studied as popular biological minerals. 9 For instance, the nacres of shells have a layered composite structure consisting of at aragonite crystals and thin organic sheets.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Designed nanostructures createdviaphysicochemical switching of the growth mode between single crystals and mesocrystals

2022

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“…Other studies have eluded to the presence of mineral in the interfibrillar compartment and therefore outside of the collagen fibrils, suggesting alternative theories of bone structure and subsequently, mineralisation (McNally et al 2012, 2013, Schwarcz et al 2020. For example, processes including (1) mineral growth beyond the gap regions along the fibril, (2) growth between the fibrils and, (3) growth external to the fibrils have all been proposed.…”

Section: Bone Mineralisation: How Does It Occur?mentioning

confidence: 99%

Regulation of mineralisation in bone and vascular tissue: a comparative review

Bourne

Wheeler‐Jones

Orriss

2021

Journal of Endocrinology

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Biomineralisation, the deposition of mineral onto a matrix, can be both a physiological and pathological process. Bone formation involves the secretion of an extracellular matrix (ECM) by osteoblasts and subsequent mineralisation of that matrix. It is regulated by a number of local and systemic factors and is necessary for maintenance of normal bone health. Conversely, mineralisation (or calcification) of soft tissues, including the vasculature, is detrimental to that tissue, leading to diseases such as arterial medial calcification (AMC). The mechanisms underlying AMC development are not fully defined, though it is thought that vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) drive this complex, cell-mediated process. Similarly, AMC is regulated by a variety of enzymes and molecules, many of which have already been implicated in the regulation of bone mineralisation. This review will provide an overview of the similar, and sometimes opposing effects of these signalling molecules on the regulation of bone mineralisation and AMC.

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A search for apatite crystals in the gap zone of collagen fibrils in bone using dark-field illumination

Cited by 24 publications

References 31 publications

Intermolecular channels direct crystal orientation in mineralized collagen

Intermolecular channels direct crystal orientation in mineralized collagen

Designed nanostructures createdviaphysicochemical switching of the growth mode between single crystals and mesocrystals

Regulation of mineralisation in bone and vascular tissue: a comparative review

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