The interaction of supersaturated calcium phosphate solutions with apatitic substrates

Synthetic amorphous calcium phosphates (ACPs): preparation, structure, properties, and biomedical applications

Amorphous calcium phosphates (ACPs) represent a metastable amorphous state of other calcium orthophosphates (abbreviated as CaPO₄) possessing variable compositional but rather identical glass-like physical properties, in which there are neither translational nor orientational long-range orders of the atomic positions. In nature, ACPs of a biological origin are found in the calcified tissues of mammals, some parts of primitive organisms, as well as in the mammalian milk. Manmade ACPs can be synthesized in a laboratory by various methods including wet-chemical precipitation, in which they are the first solid phases, precipitated after a rapid mixing of aqueous solutions containing dissolved ions of Ca²⁺ and PO₄^3- in sufficient amounts. Due to the amorphous nature, all types of synthetic ACPs appear to be thermodynamically unstable and, unless stored in dry conditions or doped by stabilizers, they tend to transform spontaneously to crystalline CaPO₄, mainly to ones with an apatitic structure. This intrinsic metastability of the ACPs is of a great biological relevance. In particular, the initiating role that metastable ACPs play in matrix vesicle biomineralization raises their importance from a mere laboratory curiosity to that of a reasonable key intermediate in skeletal calcifications. In addition, synthetic ACPs appear to be very promising biomaterials both for manufacturing artificial bone grafts and for dental applications. In this review, the current knowledge on the occurrence, structural design, chemical composition, preparation, properties, and biomedical applications of the synthetic ACPs have been summarized.

Oxidized Low-Density Lipoprotein Promotes In Vitro Calcification

Calcification plays an important role in the human body in maintaining homeostasis. In the human body, the presence of a high amount of oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL) is a consistent feature of the local areas that are common sites of ectopic calcification, namely dental calculus, renal calculus, and the areas affected by arteriosclerosis. Hence, ox-LDL may have some effect on calcification. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) observation revealed a high amount of amorphous calcium phosphate (ACP) when ox-LDL was included in the solution. In the in vitro experiment, the highest amount of precipitation of calcium phosphate was observed in the solution containing ox-LDL compared to the inclusion of other biomaterials and was 4.2 times higher than that of deionized water for 4.86 mM calcium and 2.71 mM phosphate. The morphology of calcium phosphate precipitates in the solution containing ox-LDL differed from that of the precipitates in solutions containing other biomaterials, as determined by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Through the time course observation of the sediments using TEM, it was observed that the sediments changed from spherical or oval shape to a thin film shape. These results indicate that sediments acquired a long-range order array, and the phase transitioned from non-crystalline to crystalline with an increased time and density of ACP. Thus, it is concluded that ox-LDL promoted ACP precipitation and it plays an important role in ectopic calcification.

The importance of being amorphous: calcium and magnesium phosphates in the human body

This article focuses on the relevance of amorphous calcium (and magnesium) phosphates in living organisms. Although crystalline calcium phosphate (CaP)-based materials are known to constitute the major inorganic constituents of human hard tissues, amorphous CaP-based structures, often in combination with magnesium, are frequently employed by Nature to build up components of our body and guarantee their proper functioning. After a brief description of amorphous calcium phosphate (ACP) formation mechanism and structure, this paper is focused on the stabilization strategies that can be used to enhance the lifetime of the poorly stable amorphous phase. The various locations of our body in which ACP (pure or in combination with Mg²⁺) can be found (i.e. bone, enamel, small intestine, calciprotein particles and casein micelles) are highlighted, showing how the amorphous nature of ACP is often of paramount importance for the achievement of a specific physiological function. The last section is devoted to ACP-based biomaterials, focusing on how these materials differ from their crystalline counterparts in terms of biological response.

Mineralization-inhibiting effects of transglutaminase-crosslinked polymeric osteopontin

Osteopontin (OPN) belongs to the SIBLING family (Small, Integrin-Binding LIgand N-linked Glycoproteins) of mineral-binding matrix proteins found in bones and teeth. OPN is a well-known inhibitor of matrix mineralization, and enzymatic modification of OPN can affect this inhibitory function. In bone, OPN exists both as a monomer and as a high-molecular-weight polymer - the latter is formed by transglutaminase-mediated crosslinking of glutamine and lysine residues in OPN to create homotypic protein assemblies. OPN can be covalently crosslinked by transglutaminase 2 (TG2) and Factor XIII-A. Polymeric OPN has increased binding to collagen and promotes osteoblast adhesion, but despite these initial observations, its role in mineralization is not clear. In this study, we investigated the effect of polymerized OPN on mineralization using a hydroxyapatite crystal growth assay and mineralizing MC3T3-E1 osteoblast cultures. In the cultures, endogenous polymeric OPN was detected after mineralization occurred. In cell-free conditions, TG2 was used to crosslink bovine OPN into its polymeric form, and atomic force microscopy and dynamic light scattering revealed variably-sized, large branched aggregates ranging across hundreds of nanometers. These OPN polymers inhibited the growth of hydroxyapatite crystals in solution at concentrations similar to monomeric OPN, although the crosslinking slightly reduced its inhibitory potency. When added to MC3T3-E1 osteoblast cultures, this exogenous polymeric OPN essentially did not inhibit mineralization when given during the later mineralization stages of culture; however, cultures treated early and then continuously with polymeric OPN throughout both the matrix assembly and mineral deposition stages showed reduced mineralization. Immunoblotting of protein extracts from these continuously treated cultures revealed exogenous OPN polymers incorporated into mature matrix that had not yet mineralized. These results suggest that in bone, the increased size and branched structure of crosslinked inhibitory polymeric OPN near the mineralization front could hinder it from accessing focal mineralization sites in the dense collagen-rich matrix, suggesting that OPN-crosslinking into polymers may represent a way to fine-tune the inhibitory potency of OPN on bone mineralization.

The use of physiological solutions or media in calcium phosphate synthesis and processing

This review examined the literature to spot uses, if any, of physiological solutions/media for the in situ synthesis of calcium phosphates (CaP) under processing conditions (i.e. temperature, pH, concentration of inorganic ions present in media) mimicking those prevalent in the human hard tissue environments. There happens to be a variety of aqueous solutions or media developed for different purposes; sometimes they have been named as physiological saline, isotonic solution, cell culture solution, metastable CaP solution, supersaturated calcification solution, simulated body fluid or even dialysate solution (for dialysis patients). Most of the time such solutions were not used as the aqueous medium to perform the biomimetic synthesis of calcium phosphates, and their use was usually limited to the in vitro testing of synthetic biomaterials. This review illustrates that only a limited number of research studies used physiological solutions or media such as Earle's balanced salt solution, Bachra et al. solutions or Tris-buffered simulated body fluid solution containing 27mM HCO3(-) for synthesizing CaP, and these studies have consistently reported the formation of X-ray-amorphous CaP nanopowders instead of Ap-CaP or stoichiometric hydroxyapatite (HA, Ca10(PO4)6(OH)2) at 37°C and pH 7.4. By relying on the published articles, this review highlights the significance of the use of aqueous solutions containing 0.8-1.5 mMMg(2+), 22-27mM HCO3(-), 142-145mM Na(+), 5-5.8mM K(+), 103-133mM Cl(-), 1.8-3.75mM Ca(2+), and 0.8-1.67mM HPO4(2-), which essentially mimic the composition and the overall ionic strength of the human extracellular fluid (ECF), in forming the nanospheres of X-ray-amorphous CaP.

Amorphous Calcium Phosphates

Amorphous calcium phosphates (ACPs) represent a unique class of biomedically relevant calcium orthophosphate salts, in which there are neither translational nor orientational long-range orders of the atomic positions. Nevertheless, the constancy in their chemical composition over a relatively wide range of preparation conditions suggests the presence of a well-defined local structural unit, presumably, with the structure of Ca9(PO4)6 – so-called Posner’s cluster. ACPs have variable chemical but rather identical glass-like physicochemical properties. Furthermore, all ACPs are thermodynamically unstable compounds and, unless stored in dry conditions or doped by stabilizers, spontaneously they tend to transform to crystalline calcium orthophosphates. Although some order within general disorder is the most distinguishing feature of ACPs, the solution instability of ACPs and their easy transformation to crystalline phases might be of a great biological relevance. Namely, the initiating role ACPs play in matrix vesicle biomineralization raises the importance of this phase from a mere laboratory curiosity to that of a key intermediate in skeletal calcification. Furthermore, ACPs are very promising candidates to manufacture artificial bone grafts.

Ultrastructural evaluation of in vitro mineralized calcium phosphate phase on surface phosphorylated poly(hydroxy ethyl methacrylate-co-methyl methacrylate)

The in vitro functionality of surface phosphorylated poly(hydroxy ethyl methacrylate-co-methyl methacrylate), poly(HEMA-co-MMA) to induce bioinspired mineralization of calcium phosphate phase is evaluated. The primary nucleation of calcium phosphate on the surface phosphorylated copolymer occurs within 3 days of immersion when immersed in 1.5x simulated body fluid and the degree of mineralization is proportional to the hydroxy ethyl methacrylate content in the copolymer. The calcium phosphate phase is identified as hydroxyapatite by X-Ray diffraction analysis. The transmission electron microscopic evaluation combined with selected area diffraction pattern and energy dispersive analysis exemplified that the primary nuclei of amorphous calcium phosphate transforms to crystalline needle like calcium rich apatite, within a period of 3 days immersion in simulated body fluid. The atomic force microscopic results corroborate the c-axis growth of the crystals within 3 days immersion in SBF.

Molecular inflammation: underpinnings of aging and age-related diseases

Recent scientific studies have advanced the notion of chronic inflammation as a major risk factor underlying aging and age-related diseases. In this review, low-grade, unresolved, molecular inflammation is described as an underlying mechanism of aging and age-related diseases, which may serve as a bridge between normal aging and age-related pathological processes. Accumulated data strongly suggest that continuous (chronic) upregulation of pro-inflammatory mediators (e.g., TNF-alpha, IL-1beta, IL-6, COX-2, iNOS) are induced during the aging process due to an age-related redox imbalance that activates many pro-inflammatory signaling pathways, including the NF-kappaB signaling pathway. These pro-inflammatory molecular events are discussed in relation to their role as basic mechanisms underlying aging and age-related diseases. Further, the anti-inflammatory actions of aging-retarding caloric restriction and exercise are reviewed. Thus, the purpose of this review is to describe the molecular roles of age-related physiological functional declines and the accompanying chronic diseases associated with aging. This new view on the role of molecular inflammation as a mechanism of aging and age-related pathogenesis can provide insights into potential interventions that may affect the aging process and reduce age-related diseases, thereby promoting healthy longevity.

A new rhenanite (β-NaCaPO4) and hydroxyapatite biphasic biomaterial for skeletal repair

Biphasic beta-rhenanite (beta-NaCaPO(4))-hydroxyapatite (Ca(10)(PO(4))(6)(OH)(2)) biomaterials were prepared by using a one-pot, solution-based synthesis procedure at the physiological pH of 7.4, followed by low-temperature (300-600 degrees C) calcination in air for 6 h. Calcination was for the sole purpose of crystallization. An aqueous solution of Ca(NO(3))(2). 4H(2)O was rapidly added to a solution of Na(2)HPO(4) and NaHCO(3), followed by immediate removal of gel-like, poorly-crystallized precursor precipitates from the mother liquors of pH 7.4. Freeze-dried precursors were found to be nanosize with an average particle size of 45 nm and a surface area of 128 m(2)/g. Upon calcination in air, precursor powders crystallized into biphasic (60% HA-40% rhenanite) biomaterials, while retaining their submicron particle sizes and high surface areas. beta-rhenanite is a high solubility sodium calcium phosphate phase. Samples were characterized by XRD, FTIR, SEM, TEM, ICP-AES, TG, DTA, DSC, and surface area measurements.

A First Approach toin vitroSimulation of Vascular Calcification by the Controlled Crystallization of Poorly Crystalline Calcium Phosphates onto Porous Cholesterol

A first approach to in vitro simulation of vascular calcification was elaborated. Vascular calcification was simulated by a slow crystallization of a non-stoichiometric poorly crystallized carbonateapatite from Kokubo's revised simulated body fluid (rSBF) on the surface of a porous pellet made of pure cholesterol. To achieve this, the crystallization experiments were performed under strictly controlled conditions (similar to physiological ones) provided by a constant-composition double-diffusion (CCDD) device. To obtain an even closer match to in vivo conditions, rSBF was enriched by the addition of glucose and bovine serum albumin (BSA) in physiological amounts. Precipitation took place on the surface of cholesterol and the precipitates consisted of poorly crystalline non-stoichiometric, sodium-and magnesium-containing carbonateapatite.

Spatially and temporally controlled biomineralization is facilitated by interaction between self-assembled dentin matrix protein 1 and calcium phosphate nuclei in solution

Bone and dentin biomineralization are well-regulated processes mediated by extracellular matrix proteins. It is widely believed that specific matrix proteins in these tissues modulate nucleation of apatite nanoparticles and their growth into micrometer-sized crystals via molecular recognition at the protein-mineral interface. However, this assumption has been supported only circumstantially, and the exact mechanism remains unknown. Dentin matrix protein 1 (DMP1) is an acidic matrix protein, present in the mineralized matrix of bone and dentin. In this study, we have demonstrated using synchrotron small-angle X-ray scattering that DMP1 in solution can undergo oligomerization and temporarily stabilize the newly formed calcium phosphate nanoparticle precursors by sequestering them and preventing their further aggregation and precipitation. The solution structure represents the first low-resolution structural information for DMP1. Atomic force microscopy and transmission electron microscopy studies further confirmed that the nascent calcium phosphate nuclei formed in solution were assembled into ordered protein-mineral complexes with the aid of oligomerized DMP1, recombinant and native. This study reveals a novel mechanism by which DMP1 might facilitate initiation of mineral nucleation at specific sites during bone and dentin mineralization and prevent spontaneous calcium phosphate precipitation in areas in which mineralization is not desirable.

Chemical events during tooth dissolution

Information on chemical changes during enamel dissolution has been collected from investigations on hydroxyapatite solubility, enamel solubility, artificial lesion formation, and natural caries. Although hydroxyapatite and enamel will ultimately dissolve in acid or during caries, compositional changes also occur. Most notably, there is a preferential dissolution of calcium, both from hydroxyapatite and from enamel, and of carbonate and magnesium from enamel. Root dentin yields substantial amounts of magnesium on acid attack. Fluoride may be involved in surface zone formation during attack, but an additional theory of coupled diffusion is described. Calcium-deficient mineral is produced during an acid attack, and this has lattice parameters and solubility behavior different from those of stoichiometric material. The interaction of fluoride produces a more stable lattice, resisting dissolution and favoring accretion, and tending to counteract the effects of carbonate and magnesium in forming mineral. The provision of fluoride, albeit at low levels, in plaque fluid is seen as being important in maintaining the net integrity of the tooth. More information is also needed on the role of the organic phase in tooth structures during caries and acid attack.

The effect of silicic acid on calcium phosphate precipitation

So that a possible involvement in the mineralization of dental plaque could be investigated, the effects of silicic acid on calcium phosphate precipitation were assessed in vitro. By measuring the decrease in Ca2+ concentration (by means of ion-selective electrodes), we determined both spontaneous precipitation and seeded crystal growth from solutions that contained 1 mmol/L calcium, 7.5 mmol/L phosphate, 50 mmol/L Hepes pH 7.2, and various amounts of silicic acid. Polymerized silicic acid, but not its monomer, was found both to cause a 60% reduction in the lag period that precedes spontaneous precipitation and to enhance the growth rate of seeded hydroxyapatite crystals. Silica suspensions showed effects similar to those of polysilicic acid. In all cases, the precipitated material was found to be hydroxyapatite. Whereas seeded brushite crystals grew slowly without silicic acid, hydroxyapatite was the only mineral detected after crystal growth in the presence of silicic acid. Apparently, polysilicic acid acted as a substrate for hydroxyapatite nucleation, inducing secondary nuclei on both hydroxyapatite and brushite crystals. The finding that polysilicic acid could overcome part of the inhibitory effect of a phosphoprotein on calcium phosphate precipitation gave additional support for the idea that polysilicic acid and silica may promote the formation of dental calculus.

High-resolution electron microscopy of hydroxyapatite grown in dilute solutions

High-resolution electron microscopy (HREM) was applied to the study of seeded crystal growth of hydroxyapatite (HA) in supersaturated solutions. The HA seed crystals were rod-shaped, elongated along the c-axis, and showed smooth contours. The seed crystals exhibited hexagonal prism facets, and one end was rhombohedrally terminated, whereas the opposite end was blunt. Growth experiments were carried out at 37 degrees C, and solution compositions were carefully selected to avoid the involvement of precursor phases during the HA growth. After five-hour growth, the total amount of precipitation was from 3 to 7% of the initial crystal mass added to the solutions; examination of the crystals by HREM disclosed the formation of projections on the end surfaces of the HA crystals. High-resolution TEM clearly showed lattice fringes with predictable spacings over the entire crystal specimen, including the formed projections. Analysis of selected regions by optical diffraction of the HRTEM fringe negatives showed that the nature and orientation of the projections were similar to those of the underlying seed crystal. High-resolution SEM of the HA crystal after five-hour growth disclosed step-like structures on the prism faces, as well as the projections localized on the ends. These results strongly suggest that more than one growth process may be involved, perhaps related to the distinct faces of the HA seed crystals.

Calcium phosphate formation in aqueous suspensions of multilamellar liposomes

The present study examined calcium phosphate precipitation in aqueous suspensions of multilamellar liposomes as a possible in vitro model for matrix vesicle mineralization. Liposomes were prepared by dispersing CHCl3-evaporated thin films of 7:2:1 and 7:1:1 molar mixtures of phosphatidylcholine, dicetyl phosphate, and cholesterol in aqueous solutions containing 0, 25, or 50 mM PO4 and 0 or 0.8 mM Mg. After removal of unencapsulated PO4 by gel filtration, the liposomes were suspended in 1.33 mM Ca/0.8 mM Mg solutions and made permeable to these cations by the addition of the ionophore X-537A. All experiments were carried out at pH 7.4, 22 degrees C, and 240 mOsm. In the absence of entrapped PO4, Ca2+ taken up by the liposomes was largely bound to inner membrane surfaces. With PO4 present, Ca2+ uptake increased as much as sixfold with maximum accumulations well above values sufficient for solid formation. Precipitated solids appeared to be located predominantly in the aqueous intermembranous spaces of the liposomes. Amorphous calcium phosphate (ACP) precipitated initially in the presence of entrapped Mg2+, then subsequently converted to apatite intermixed with some octacalcium phosphate. The stability of the liposomal ACP was somewhat greater than that observed in bulk solutions under comparable conditions of pH, temperature, and electrolyte makeup. In time, the mineral deposits caused entrapped PO4 to leak from the liposomes. These findings suggest that the precipitation within liposomes is similar to that which occurs in macro-volume synthetic systems but that the precipitated solid eventually impairs the integrity of the surrounding intermembranous space.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Preparation of hydroxyapatite crystals and their behavior as seeds for crystal growth

Samples of crystalline hydroxyapatite [Ca5OH(PO4)3 HA] were prepared by precipitation from aqueous media under a variety of experimental conditions (temperature, concentration of reagents, rates of addition of the reagents, and seeding). The resultant products showed a wide range of particle sizes, i.e., specific surface areas, from 6.39 to 50.1 m2/g. In these preparations, relatively large crystals were obtained with low rates of addition of the reagents or by seeding the precipitating medium. Small differences in super-saturation of the reaction medium can markedly affect the particle sizes and crystalline habits of the resulting products, possibly by altering the processes of nucleation and subsequent crystal growth. When these crystalline materials were used as seeds to study the crystal growth of HA, it was confirmed that the precipitation rate of calcium apatite on seed crystals is highly dependent on the surface areas available for growth, rather than on the particle sizes and amounts of the seed crystals. Small differences in the kinetic runs were observed between the various seed crystals, which can be attributed to differences in the surface properties of these crystals. Additionally, transmission electron microscopy of the seed crystals revealed that some projections form, possibly on the basal planes of the crystals, during crystal growth. Since the growth rate of these projections was greater than the mean growth rate calculated on the basis of changes in solution composition and total surface area, it appears that the kinetics of the growth process is determined, to some extent, by the geometry of the seeds.

Transmission electron microscopic study of calcium phosphate formation in supersaturated solutions seeded with apatite

The present study examined crystal growth on enamel and synthetic apatite seed surfaces in dilute supersaturated solutions by means of transmission electron microscopy. At all supersaturations, new growth initially appeared on the ends of the seed crystal. In solutions undersaturated with respect to octacalcium phosphate (OCP), this growth was needlelike in appearance. Above the solubility point for OCP, the growth frequently took the form of thin, platelike crystals. The relevance of these findings to precursor phase formation is discussed.

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

Electron microscopic study of tibial epiphyseal plates of young growing rats revealed amorphous-appearing electron dense deposits 5-35 nm in diameter, associated with the plasma membranes of more than 43% of the proliferative zone chondrocytes. Hypertrophic zone chondrocytes, however, revealed no plasma membrane-associated amorphous-appearing deposits. The membrane-associated densities were observable in unstained sections of tissues fixed in glutaraldehyde alone and in tissues double-fixed with glutaraldehyde and osmium tetroxide, and were extracted from ultrathin sections floated on neutral aqueous solutions of 4% ethyleneglycol bis-(beta-aminoethyl ether) N,N'-tetraacetic acid (EGTA) for one-half hour. Energy dispersive X-ray analysis of the densities in scanning transmission electron microscope (STEM) mode revealed the presence of Ca, suggesting that the membrane-associated amorphous-appearing deposits are Ca-enriched. Similar deposits were observed in the membrane of matrix vesicles present in the longitudinal cartilaginous septae in the hypertrophic zone. Four types of matrix vesicles were encountered in the longitudinal cartilaginous septae; one type with amorphous-appearing deposits, another with crystallites, a third type with both amorphous-appearing and crystalline-like deposits, and a fourth that is empty. These observations are interpreted to indicate that chondrocytes of the reserve and proliferative zones play a direct role in mineralization by elaborating amorphous mineral deposits along their plasma membranes. These deposits are incorporated into budding matrix vesicles, which then play a role in the initiation of mineralization by supporting the spontaneous phase transformation of amorphous-appearing mineral to crystalline mineral.

The kinetics of mineralization of human dentin in vitro

The prospect of restoration of damaged dental tissues has recently attracted great interest. An understanding of the remineralization of human dentin in vitro was attempted by using super-saturated calcium phosphate solutions at sustained supersaturation by means of a constant solution composition method. The direct growth of HAP from solutions of low supersaturation on powdered whole human dentin was confirmed. Moreover, it was found that the kinetics were similar to those of the seeded growth at synthetic HAP. A high apparent activation energy pointed to a surface-controlled mechanism.

Phosphoprotein modulation of apatite crystallization

Several phosphoprotein preparations (phosvitin, rat incisor and fetal calf molar dentin phosphoproteins) all inhibit apatite growth/replication from pre-existing crystal seeds in metastable solutions. Two stages of the crystal growth process were inhibited by these phosphoproteins. First an initial lag period was induced, probably associated with seed surface phenomena. This period was prolonged indefinitely when a combination of phosphoprotein precoated seeds was used together with soluble phosphoproteins in the crystal growth reaction. Second, the phosphoproteins prolonged that stage of the reaction where octacalcium phosphate is the predominant mineral phase present prior to its conversion to the final apatite product. Pre-treatment of the phosphoproteins with calcium diminished their inhibitory activity to seeded crystal growth as well as towards de novo apatite formation in synthetic extracellular fluids. The presence of collagen diminished the inhibitory activity of the phosphoproteins towards de novo precipitation but had no effect on phosphoprotein-modulated apatite crystal growth in the seeded systems. These results suggest a potential regulatory role for phosphoproteins in dentin mineralization.

Studies on the incongruent solubility of hydroxyapatite

The solubility of hydroxyapatite was examined in calcium phosphate mixtures produced by combining Ca(OH)2 and H3PO4 in varying proportions under a wide variety of conditions. Analyses of supernatants for calcium, phosphorus, and pH provided the data for solubility calculations. Alteration of the solid/liquid ratio by removing supernatant or by evacuating water from equilibrated mixtures had little effect on the solubility product. However, when precipitates separated from some mixtures were reequilibrated at various solid/solution ratios in either water, acetate buffer, or supernatants obtained from previous equilibrations, incongruent solubility was demonstrated and was attributed to the formation of other calcium phosphate phases which coated the apatite. The experiments indicated that hydroxyapatite has a thermodynamic solubility product between 10(-57) and 10(-60), but the exact value is difficult to determine because of the formation of surface coats.

The ulstrastructure of the extracellular phase of bone as observed in frozen thin sections

The fine structure of the extracellular phase of avian medullary bone and embryonic chick femur was examined in thin sections prepared by ultracryotomy and ultramicroincineration. Since contact with solutions was completely avoided, little or no loss or dislocation of mineral constituents could occur. Amorphous bone mineral (ABM) was present in two forms: as 15-30 nm spheres and as a structure-free haze. Removal of all organic material by low temperature ashing left the ABM intact. Crystals were usually associated with the ABM. In newly ossifying regions clusters or nodules of randomly oriented crystals and ABM appeared to coalesce when they reached approximately 1 micron in diameter. In highly calcified regions crystals appeared to be oriented along collagen fibers. ABM did not appear to be associated with collagen. Unmineralized collagen was visible in osteoid after staining with dry OsO4 vapor and it appeared to be diverted around nodules. Structures which resembled matrix vesicles were present. Selected area electron diffraction patterns indicated the presence of hydroxyapatite.