Effect of bound phosphoproteins and other organic phosphates on alkaline phosphatase-induced mineralization of collagenous matrices in vitro

Alkaline phosphatase-induced mineral deposition to anchor collagen fibrils to a solid surface

Reconstruction of tendon and ligament tissues requires proper attachment of the tissue-engineered construct to surrounding tissues. A problem of reconstructing collagen-rich tissues is that an in vitro engineered collagenous network containing fibroblasts will contract and detach from a solid surface. In vivo anchorage of soft connective tissues to mineralized tissues like bones and teeth is accomplished by embedding collagen fibrils into mineralized layers. Mineralization is partially the result of local activity of the enzyme alkaline phosphatase (ALP). In this study, we tested whether ALP-induced mineral deposition at the interface between a collagen gel and a polystyrene or polyetheretherketone (PEEK) surface could prevent gel detachment from the surface. Coating of culture wells with intestinal ALP prevented detachment of gels harbored with human periodontal ligament (PDL) fibroblasts in the presence of its substrate beta-glycerophosphate. Mineral deposition was observed predominantly at the interface of collagen gel and well surface. The contractile properties of fibroblasts were not influenced by either ALP, beta-glycerophosphate or both. The presence of ALP on a solid surface and providing its substrate to allow mineral deposition can prevent detachment of collagen matrices. Our findings provide a tool to induce attachment of fibrillar collagen to a solid surface; an approach that seems useful for reconstruction of load-bearing tissues and attachment of ligaments to implants.

Synthesis of a potentially bioactive, hydroxyapatite-nucleating molecule

A human phosphophoryn (PP) cDNA was previously cloned from immature root apex total RNA in our laboratory. This cDNA comprises 2,364 bp, encoding 788 amino acids. More than 80% of the sequences are arranged as (DSS)(n) (n = 1-16), DS, and NSS motifs. We hypothesize that the capability of PP to bind Ca(2+) and nucleate hydroxyapatite may depend on these repeated sequences. Two polypeptides were synthesized based on the human PP cDNA sequence to test the hypothesis. One polypeptide has the amino acid sequence DDPNSSDESNGNDD (synthetic polypeptide 1, SP1), which is from the N-terminal end of PP; the other polypeptide, DSKSDSSKSESDSS (synthetic polypeptide 2, SP2), is the PP repeated sequence motif. Phosphorylation of the polypeptides was accomplished by reacting them with adenosine triphosphate and casein kinases I and II. The ability of these molecules to cause mineralization was tested in a steady-state agarose gel system. The results show that phosphorylated SP2 (P-SP2) precipitated approximately 60% of the total Ca + PO(4) precipitated by PP. P-SP1 precipitated about 23% of that precipitated by PP and was similar to the amount precipitated in the control gel, that is, without added peptides. Transmission electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction analysis showed that the precipitate formed in the P-SP2-containing gel was hydroxyapatite. The capability of P-SP2 to nucleate Ca + PO(4) and precipitate hydroxyapatite is a result of the repeated sequence motif, which contains a high percentage of phosphorylated serine. This molecule could be used in the repair and regeneration of dental tissue.

Functional analysis of bone sialoprotein: identification of the hydroxyapatite-nucleating and cell-binding domains by recombinant peptide expression and site-directed mutagenesis

Mammalian bone sialoprotein (BSP) is a mineralized tissue-specific protein containing an RGD (arginine-glycine-aspartic acid) cell-attachment sequence and two distinct glutamic acid (glu)-rich regions, with each containing one contiguous glu sequence. These regions have been proposed to contribute to the attachment of bone cells to the extracellular matrix and to the nucleation of hydroxyapatite (HA), respectively. To further delineate the domains responsible for these activities, porcine BSP cDNA was used to construct expression vectors coding for two partial-length recombinant BSP peptides: P2S (residues 42-87), containing the first glutamic acid-rich domain; and P1L (residues 69-300), containing the second glutamic acid-rich region and the RGD sequence. These peptides were expressed in Escherichia coli as his-tag fusion proteins and purified by nickel affinity columns and FPLC chromatography. Digestion with trypsin released the his-tag fusion peptide, which generated P2S-TY (residues 42-87) and P1L-TY (residues 132-239). Using a steady-state agarose gel system, P2S-TY promoted HA nucleation, whereas P2S, P1L, and P1L-TY did not. This implies that the minimum requirement for nucleation of HA resides within the amino acid sequence of the first glutamic acid-rich domain, whereas the second glutamic acid-rich domain may require posttranslational modifications for activity. P1L, but not P2S, promoted RGD-mediated attachment of human gingival fibroblasts in a manner similar to that of native BSP. Deletion of the RGD domain or conversion of it to RGE (arginine-glycine-glutamic acid) abolished the cell-attachment activity of P1L. This suggests that, at least for human gingival fibroblasts, the major cell-attachment activity in the recombinant BSP peptides studied (residues 42-87 and 69-300) requires the RGD sequence located at the C-terminal domain.

Mineral induction by immobilized phosphoproteins

Dentin phosphoproteins are thought to have a primary role in the deposition of mineral on the collagen of dentin. In this study we determined the type of binding between collagen and phosphoproteins necessary for mineral formation onto collagen fibrils and whether the phosphate esters are required. Bovine dentin phosphophoryn or phosvitin from egg yolk were immobilized on reconstituted skin type I collagen fibrils by adsorption or by covalent cross-linking. In some samples the ester phosphate was removed from the covalently cross-linked phosphoproteins by treatment with acid phosphatase. All samples were incubated at 37 degrees C in metastable solutions that do not spontaneously precipitate. Reconstituted collagen fibrils alone did not induce mineral formation. The phosphoproteins adsorbed to the collagen fibrils desorbed when the mineralization medium was added, and mineral was not induced. The mineral induced by the cross-linked phosphoproteins was apatite, and the crystals were confined to the surface of the collagen fibrils. With decreasing medium saturation the time required for mineral induction increased. The interfacial tensions calculated for apatite formation by either phosphoprotein cross-linked to collagen were about the same as that for phosphatidic acid liposomes and hydroxyapatite. This similarity in values indicates that the nucleation potential of these highly phosphorylated surfaces is about the same. It is concluded that phosphoproteins must be irreversibly bound to collagen fibrils for the mineralization of the collagen network in solutions that do not spontaneously precipitate. The phosphate esters of phosphoproteins are required for mineral induction, and the carboxylate groups are not sufficient.

High resolution electron microscopy: structure and growth mechanisms of human dentin crystals

Biological crystal formation was postulated to begin by a nucleation process. Such processes have been demonstrated for human amelogenesis and bone mineralization. The aim of this study was to confirm if such mechanisms occur during dentin crystal formation. The structure of human fetal dentin crystals and the earliest stages of mineral growth were followed by High Resolution Electron Microscopy (HREM) associated with digitalized image analysis. Micrographs of the mineralization front were first digitalized, and selected areas were transformed in the reciprocal space by Fast Fourier Transform. The resulting diffractograms were compared with computer-simulated diffractograms and used to determine the orientation of crystals. Dentin crystals, found close to the mineralization front, show a structure closely related to that of hydroxyapatite (HA), as determined by comparison of HREM images with simulated images. These crystals present numerous structural defects such as dislocations and grain boundaries. These defects appear to be present in dentin crystals at an early stage of growth. We have also observed nanometer-sized particles in mineralization areas. Calculated diffractograms of these areas show significant similarities with HA diffraction patterns, and in one case, their structure could be correlated to HA structure through an image simulation process. These nanometer-sized particles could be related to the nucleation process, and their growth, orientation, and formation appear to be mediated by extracellular matrix components.

Nucleation and inhibition of hydroxyapatite formation by mineralized tissue proteins

Many proteins found in mineralized tissues have been proposed to function as regulators of the mineralization process, either as nucleators or inhibitors of hydroxyapatite (HA) formation. We have studied the HA-nucleating and HA-inhibiting properties of proteins from bone [osteocalcin (OC), osteopontin (OPN), osteonectin (ON) and bone sialoprotein (BSP)], dentine [phosphophoryn (DPP)] and calcified cartilage [chondrocalcin (CC)] over a wide range of concentrations. Nucleation of HA was studied with a steady-state agarose gel system at sub-threshold [Ca] x [PO4] product. BSP and DPP exhibited nucleation activity at minimum concentrations of 0.3 microgram/ml (9 nM) and 10 micrograms/ml (67 nM) respectively. OC, OPN, ON and CC all lacked nucleation activity at concentrations up to 100 micrograms/ml. Inhibition of HA formation de novo was studied with calcium phosphate solutions buffered by autotitration. OPN was found to be a potent inhibitor of HA formation [IC50 = 0.32 microgram/ml (0.01 microM)] whereas OC was of lower potency [IC50 = 6.1 micrograms/ml (1.1 microM)]; BSP, ON and CC all lacked inhibitory activity at concentrations up to 10 micrograms/ml. The effect of OPN on HA formation de novo is mainly to inhibit crystal growth, whereas OC delays nucleation. These findings are consistent with the view that BSP and DPP may play roles in the initiation of mineralization in bone and dentine respectively. OPN seems to be the mineralized tissue protein most likely to function in the inhibition of HA formation, possibly by preventing phase separation in tissue fluids of high supersaturation.

Mineralization of alkaline phosphatase-complexed collagen implants in the rat in relation to serum inorganic phosphate

The present study was designed to determine the relationship between mineralization of collagenous matrices and serum levels of calcium and inorganic phosphate. Collagen slices were prepared from bovine dentin or cortical bone and complexed with varying amounts of intestinal alkaline phosphatase (ALP). The enzyme was added to induce de novo mineralization. The ALP-complexed slices were implanted subcutaneously over the skull and in the dorsolateral aspect of the abdominal wall in female Wistar rats of various ages (5-, 10-, 20-, or 35-week-old) and in young male rats fed on a low-P diet. After 1-4 weeks, the implants were removed and analyzed for calcium and phosphate content. In addition, serum levels of calcium and phosphate (total and inorganic) were determined. It was shown that the highest mineral influx occurred in the younger rats (which were also highest in serum P(i)), whereas almost no mineral uptake occurred in the older ones. Also in rats fed on a low-P diet (which were low in serum P(i), a strongly decreased mineral influx was noted. In all animal groups a positive correlation was found between the degree of mineralization and serum P(i). No distinct relationship was found between serum Ca/organic phosphate levels and mineral influx in the implants. In vitro incubation of ALP-collagen conjugates in serum from younger and older rats confirmed our view that serum P(i), besides local levels of ALP, is important in de novo mineral deposition. For accretion of mineral in partially remineralized collagenous carriers, ALP activity was not required.

Mineralization of alkaline phosphatase-complexed collagenous implants in the rat: relation with age, sex, and site of implantation

This study was designed to determine the effects of age, sex, and site of implantation on the extent of alkaline phosphatase-complexed collagen sheets mineralization in the animal body. Collagen sheets were prepared from bovine dentin and cortical bone and complexed with varying amounts of intestinal alkaline phosphatase (ALP). Controls were without enzyme or with heat-inactivated enzyme. Sheets were implanted subcutaneously over the skull and in the dorsolateral abdominal wall in 5- or 20-week-old male and female Wistar rats. After 2-3 weeks the implants were removed and analyzed for phosphate and calcium content. Our findings have shown that alkaline phosphatase-induced mineralization of collagenous implants is influenced to a considerable extent by age, sex, and site of implantation. Highest mineral influx was seen in the younger males. Implants in younger females and older males contained less mineral, whereas those installed in the older females were almost free of calcium phosphate deposits. Dentinal implants in the skull region contained more mineral than those in the abdominal wall.

Bound phosphoproteins enhance mineralization of alkaline phosphatase-collagen complexes in vivo

Phosphoproteins (PP) covalently bound to a collagenous matrix have been reported to promote its mineralization in vitro. It was the aim of the present study to determine whether PP also enhance the mineralization of collagen in vivo. To this end, collagen slices were prepared from demineralized bovine cortical bone. Following immobilization of rat dentin phosphoprotein (PP) to the slices, bovine intestinal alkaline phosphatase (ALP) was bound according to the SATA-MHS coupling method. Controls were without enzyme. The slices were implanted into skin pockets prepared over the skull of female Wistar rats (6-10 weeks old). After 3-31 days the implants were removed and analyzed for calcium and phosphate content. It was shown that slices of PP-treated bone collagen mineralized more rapidly and to a greater extent than bone collagen slices without PP. Controls remained free of mineral. It is concluded that mineralization of collagenous matrices, induced by alkaline phosphatase, is enhanced by bound phosphoproteins following implantation in subcutaneous connective tissue.