Ca-enriched amorphous mineral deposits associated with the plasma membranes of chondrocytes and matrix vesicles of rat epiphyseal cartilage

Occurrence of amorphous and crystalline mineral deposits at the epithelial-mesenchymal interface of incisors in the calcium-loaded rat: implication of novel calcium binding domains

BACKGROUND

In order to clarify the regulatory factors that promote precipitation of enamel crystals in mammalian tooth germs, possible calcium binding domains were visualized at the epithelial-mesenchymal interface of rat incisor teeth by means of electron microscopy and X-ray microanalysis.

METHODS

Adult rats were loaded with calcium (30 mM Ca) by vascular perfusion and further loaded through fixation and dehydration in the presence of high doses of calcium.

RESULTS

Electron microscopy of anhydrously prepared Epon sections of the calcium-loaded rat incisors revealed numerous electron-dense granular deposits, enriched with calcium and phosphorus, scattering in the fibrous mantle dentin matrix and the intercellular spaces of the inner enamel epithelium, but not in the pulp tissues including the odontoblastic cells layer. The electron-dense deposits were specific for the enamel-related portion and were never shown to occur in the cementum-related portion. Proceeding incisally, dense deposits in both the mantle dentin matrix and presecretory ameloblast layer gradually converted to fine needlelike figures resembling the early enamel crystallites. Mineral deposits in experimental rats disappeared concomitant with the onset of normal mineralization of mantle dentin. There was no spatial correlation between the dense deposits and either stippled material or matrix vesicles.

CONCLUSIONS

These results indicate the presence of novel calcium-binding domains in the enamel-related portion of the epithelial-mesenchymal interface of rat incisors that form enamellike crystallites under calcium-loaded conditions. A contribution of these putative calcium-binding domains in the induction and spontaneous formation of enamel crystals is suggested.

Characteristics and effects of calcified degenerative zones on the formation of hard tissue barriers in amputated canine dental pulp

The purpose of this research was to study under undecalcified conditions the presence, ultrastructural features, and contributions of the degenerative zone beneath the necrotic zone and whether it had effects on the formation of reparative dentin in canine incisors and premolars. The research was conducted over a period of 14 days after experimental pulpotomy using calcium hydroxide as a pulp-capping agent. On the first day following pulp exposure and capping with calcium hydroxide, electron-dense spherical bodies were observed under the necrotic zone. Energy dispersive X-ray point analysis confirmed that these electron-dense deposits contained calcium and phosphorus. By the third day, varying amounts of minute von Kossa-positive granules could be observed light-microscopically between the two zones of necrosis and underlying vital pulp tissue. Migration and proliferation of pulpal cells, most probably mesenchymal cells, were observed adjacent to the von Kossa-positive zone. The ultrastructure of the von Kossa-positive zone consisted of degenerated cells, electron-dense spherical bodies, and electron-dense shortened dilating fibrils. By the seventh day, short cylindrical-shaped cells collected at the coronal end of the vital pulp tissue. By the fourteenth day, the specimens having a uniform von Kossa-positive zone exhibited rapid differentiation of odontoblasts and tubular dentin formation. In contrast, only some specimens having an irregular von Kossa-positive zone exhibited osteodentin formation and the beginning of odontoblast differentiation beneath the osteodentin. These findings suggest that this calcified degenerative zone has an important effect on the reparative process of pulp tissue after pulpotomy.

Localization of malachite green positive lipids in the matrix of bone nodule formed in vitro

An electron histochemical study was carried out on bone nodules formed in vitro in collagenase-released calvarial cells in order to visualize the lipid components of the extracellular matrix (EM). The malachite green aldehyde fixative technique, which allows both preservation and staining of some phospholipids of the extracellular matrix, was used. Controls were performed on sections demineralized, and then submitted to lipid extraction with a chloroformmethanol mixture (2/1 v/v) and to glycosaminoglycans digestion with 0.5% bovine testicular hyaluronidase to verify specificity for lipid staining. This allowed us to visualize the lipids (1) in the osteoid as granules associated to ribbon-like structures connected to the collagen fibers, (2) as electrondense deposits seen as dots on the outer surface membrane of the matrix vesicles, and (3) in the mineralized matrix as roundish patches formed of needle-shaped materials and at the mineralization front as individual ones. This study demonstrated that at the EM level, the lipids are present in the osteoid at locations very similar to what have been observed for the glycosaminoglycans, and in the mineralized matrix as components of the crystal ghosts.

Structural studies of the mineral phase of calcifying cartilage

The calcified cartilage of the epiphyseal growth plate of young calves has been studied by x-ray diffraction. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, magic angle 31P nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, and chemical composition. The powdered tissue was separated by density centrifugation as a function of mineral content and thus qualitatively of the age of the calcium-phosphorus mineral phase. The individual density centrifugation fractions were examined separately. X-ray diffraction of the samples, especially of the lowest density fractions, revealed very poorly crystalline apatite. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and 31P nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy revealed the presence of significant amounts of nonapatitic phosphate ions. The concentration of such nonapatitic phosphates increases during the early stages of mineralization but then decreases as the mineral content steadily rises until full mineralization is achieved. The total concentration of carbonate ions was found to be much lower in calcified cartilage than in bone from the same organ (scapula). The carbonate ions are located in both A sites (OH-) and B sites (PO4(3-)), with a distribution similar to that found in bone mineral. However, discrepancies between infrared resolution factors of phosphate and carbonate bands are consistent with a heterogeneous distribution of carbonate ions in poorly organized domains of the solid phase of calcium phosphate. These initial studies permit one to characterize the calcium phosphate mineral phase as a very poorly crystalline, immature calcium phosphate apatite, rich in labile nonapatitic phosphate ions, with a low concentration of carbonate ions compared with bone mineral of the same animal, indeed from the bone of the same organ (scapula).

Electron microscopic evaluation of the occurrence of matrix vesicles in cartilage

Troubled by variations in the descriptions of shape, appearance, and content of matrix vesicles and the conflicting reports of increased numbers of vesicles in the mineralizing regions of the growth plate contrasted with larger numbers in the resting zone, we embarked on a review of matrix vesicles in the growth plate using a comparison of different fixation techniques. We found matrix vesicles resembling cell debris at all levels of the growth plate, with no particular association with mineral. Lipid bodies surrounded by a membrane of proteoglycan have also been seen in large numbers. The cell debris-like matrix vesicles have been the common finding in reports of digested centrifuged cartilage and may represent cytoplasmic processes. Lipid bodies surrounded by proteoglycan may be similar to the membrane-bound vesicle described by Ali (Fed. Proc., 35:135-142, 1987) and by Bonucci (Clin. Orthod., 78:108-133, 1971).

Ultrastructure of matrix vesicles in chick growth plate as revealed by quick freezing and freeze substitution

The ultrastructure of extracellular membrane-bound matrix vesicles (MVs), their biogenesis, and the surrounding matrix in chick tibial growth plate were studied after quick freezing and freeze substitution (FS) in an organic solvent. There were several notable differences in the ultrastructural preservation of cartilage when FS was used as compared with conventional fixation. The ultrastructural appearance of MVs after FS was extremely variable. Within the MVs, intravesicular filaments, amorphous material, and membrane-associated undercoat structures were observed. Intravesicular filaments, similar in diameter to microfilaments seen in the cytoplasm, were attached to the inside of MV membranes. This observation indicates the similarity of MV membranes and the plasma membrane. In some MVs in the proliferative zone an electron-dense material was present along the inner side of the MV membrane. In the prehypertrophic zone, crystalline material often appeared within the electron-dense material, which may be a precursor form of hydroxyapatite. The earliest crystals observed were in MVs but not in the extracellular matrix. Regarding MV formation, in addition to budding from cell surfaces and to cellular disintegration, this study also indicates that a sequential process of extrusion of preformed cytoplasmic structures may occur. Also, small MVs measuring 25-40 nm seem to arise from the disruption of large MVs. This is a previously unreported observation on MV biogenesis. FS preserves proteoglycans in the cartilage matrix as a fine, filamentous network. Initial extracellular calcification was not associated with this network.

Matrix vesicles in embryonic chick bone: considerations of their identification, number, distribution, and possible effects on calcification of extracellular matrices

Bone tissue from normal 5- to 21-day-old embryonic chicks has been examined by transmission electron microscopy to identify extracellular matrix vesicles, their number, and distribution at beginning stages of tissue mineralization during early osteogenesis. Principal tissue treatment was fixation in glutaraldehyde and osmium, followed by staining with uranyl and lead salts. Some specimens were decalcified with EDTA and stained. In embryonic bone tissue prepared by these methods, it was rather difficult to identify structural organelles conclusively, but along the proximal and distal diaphyses of tibiae and femurs from chicks 5-12 days old, matrix vesicles were occasionally observed in the extracellular tissue spaces. Some vesicles appeared to contain or to be associated with mineral particles. Very few vesicles were found in these same regions in older chicks or along the periosteal surfaces of the long bones in chicks of any age examined. The vast majority of the extracellular mineral particles was associated with collagen fibrils in all chick bone tissues at all ages. The presence of only small numbers of vesicles, restricted to specific regions and ages of bone tissue undergoing active mineralization, argues against an obligatory requirement for matrix vesicles in the calcification of extracellular bone matrices.

Light and electron microscopy of the new born sagittal suture

Morphogenesis and maturation of the sagittal suture in newborn C57B1/6J strain mice were studied using light and electron microscopy. Morphodifferentiation of the murine parietal bones progresses radially with the interposed sagittal suture, assuming a greater level of maturity at birth at a midpoint along its length. The presumptive suture develops in a sulcus, deeper posteriorly, more shallow anteriorly. Cells at the osteogenic front (OF) are distinguished from the surrounding fibrocytic cells by a number of distinctive characteristics: 1. increased cytoplasmic density; 2. extensive endoplasmic reticulum; 3. dispersed nuclear chromatin aggregates; 4. extensive surface projections; 5. close approximation. Mineralization of the developing parietal bone occurs extracellularly with the initial deposits of apatite crystals exhibiting no oriented relationship to either cellular or extracellular fibrillar elements. The majority of collagen fibers lie superior and inferior to the presumptive suture, oriented anteroposteriorly with their long axes parallel to the ectocranial surface. Other fiber bundles more intimately associated with the developing suture display a more random orientation.

In vitro precocious accumulation of calcium and matrix vesicles formation in young cartilage cells: specific effects of corticosteroids

The present study examined the effects of various corticosteroid and noncorticosteroid hormones upon the ultrastructure of chondroprogenitor cells and chondroblasts in an organ-culture system of late fetal condylar cartilage. Corticosteroids, (triamcinolone acetonide, dexamethasone, corticosterone) at concentrations of 10(-6) - 10(-8)M stimulated markedly a precocious formation of matrix vesicles by chondroblasts. This stimulation was accompanied by a significant accretion of calcium complexes intra- and extracellularly in both the chondroprogenitor cell population and chondroblasts in vitro, as well as in the newly induced matrix vesicles. Nonglucocorticoid steroids (progesterone, estradiol, testosterone, cortexolone) did not evoke similar effects. Progesterone and testosterone, however, seemed to adversely affect the ultrastructure of the cartilage cells, whereas estradiol appeared to have a favorable effect on the morphology of cultured condylar cartilage.