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Wu CY, Young L, Young D, Martel J, Young JD. Bions: a family of biomimetic mineralo-organic complexes derived from biological fluids. PLoS One 2013; 8:e75501. [PMID: 24086546 PMCID: PMC3783384 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0075501] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2013] [Accepted: 08/14/2013] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Mineralo-organic nanoparticles form spontaneously in human body fluids when the concentrations of calcium and phosphate ions exceed saturation. We have shown previously that these mineralo-organic nanoparticles possess biomimetic properties and can reproduce the whole phenomenology of the so-called nanobacteria-mineralized entities initially described as the smallest microorganisms on earth. Here, we examine the possibility that various charged elements and ions may form mineral nanoparticles with similar properties in biological fluids. Remarkably, all the elements tested, including sodium, magnesium, aluminum, calcium, manganese, iron, cobalt, nickel, copper, zinc, strontium, and barium form mineralo-organic particles with bacteria-like morphologies and other complex shapes following precipitation with phosphate in body fluids. Upon formation, these mineralo-organic particles, which we term bions, invariably accumulate carbonate apatite during incubation in biological fluids; yet, the particles also incorporate additional elements and thus reflect the ionic milieu in which they form. Bions initially harbor an amorphous mineral phase that gradually converts to crystals in culture. Our results show that serum produces a dual inhibition-seeding effect on bion formation. Using a comprehensive proteomic analysis, we identify a wide range of proteins that bind to these mineral particles during incubation in medium containing serum. The two main binding proteins identified, albumin and fetuin-A, act as both inhibitors and seeders of bions in culture. Notably, bions possess several biomimetic properties, including the possibility to increase in size and number and to be sub-cultured in fresh culture medium. Based on these results, we propose that bions represent biological, mineralo-organic particles that may form in the body under both physiological and pathological homeostasis conditions. These mineralo-organic particles may be part of a physiological cycle that regulates the function, transport and disposal of elements and minerals in the human body.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheng-Yeu Wu
- Laboratory of Nanomaterials, Chang Gung University, Gueishan, Taoyuan, Taiwan, Republic of China
- Center for Molecular and Clinical Immunology, Chang Gung University, Gueishan, Taoyuan, Taiwan, Republic of China
- Research Center of Bacterial Pathogenesis, Chang Gung University, Gueishan, Taoyuan, Taiwan, Republic of China
| | - Lena Young
- Laboratory of Nanomaterials, Chang Gung University, Gueishan, Taoyuan, Taiwan, Republic of China
- Department of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - David Young
- Laboratory of Nanomaterials, Chang Gung University, Gueishan, Taoyuan, Taiwan, Republic of China
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Jan Martel
- Laboratory of Nanomaterials, Chang Gung University, Gueishan, Taoyuan, Taiwan, Republic of China
- Center for Molecular and Clinical Immunology, Chang Gung University, Gueishan, Taoyuan, Taiwan, Republic of China
| | - John D. Young
- Laboratory of Nanomaterials, Chang Gung University, Gueishan, Taoyuan, Taiwan, Republic of China
- Center for Molecular and Clinical Immunology, Chang Gung University, Gueishan, Taoyuan, Taiwan, Republic of China
- Laboratory of Cellular Physiology and Immunology, Rockefeller University, New York, New York, United States of America
- Biochemical Engineering Research Center, Ming Chi University of Technology, Taishan, Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China
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Hemoglobin aggregates studied under static and dynamic conditions involving the formation of nanobacteria-like structures. ACTA PHARMACEUTICA (ZAGREB, CROATIA) 2012; 62:201-9. [PMID: 22750818 DOI: 10.2478/v10007-012-0011-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Laser light scattering and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) are used to study hemoglobin in the aqueous phase. The impact that salts [NaCl, Ca₃(PO₄)₂] and iron oxide nanoparticles have on the hemoglobin size are also studied. The first set of experiments examined hemoglobin aggregates in the aqueous phases in the presence of salts and nanoparticles. Aqueous phase samples were then dehydrated and examined using SEM. The resulting structures resemble those observed in nanobacteria studies conducted in other labs. This study demonstrates that aggregates of hemoglobin and various salts found in a physiological environment can produce structures that resemble nanobacteria.
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Yang F, Zeng J, Zhang W, Sun X, Ling J. Evaluation of the interaction between calcifying nanoparticles and human dental pulp cells: a preliminary investigation. Int J Nanomedicine 2010; 6:13-8. [PMID: 21289977 PMCID: PMC3025593 DOI: 10.2147/ijn.s15064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Calcifying nanoparticles (CNPs, previously called nanobacteria) are self-propagating, cultivable macromolecular complexes. Their extraordinary characteristic is that they can aggregate carbonate apatite on their envelope from soluble calcium and phosphorus at physiologic concentrations and display cytotoxic effects on murine and human fibroblast cell lines. The question arises whether CNPs contribute to the degeneration of pulp tissue and thus result in clinically significant human dental pulp stones as nidies. This study evaluates CNPs’ effects upon human dental pulp cells (HDPCs, the host cells in pulp tissue). We observed the ultrastructural variation of HDPCs attacked by CNPs. The spatial relationship of HDPCs and CNPs after coculture was also identified by immunofluroscence staining. Furthermore, it was verified by MTT viability assay that CNPs isolated from dental pulp stones exerted cytotoxic effect on HDPCs. Therefore, it could be concluded that the existence of CNPs might interfere with the normal physiologic function of the cells, and that might lead to dental pulp calcification. Elucidation of the cytotoxic characteristics of CNPs may offer a new perspective for understanding the etiology of human dental pulp stones.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fang Yang
- Department of Operative Dentistry and Endodontics, Guanghua School and Hospital of Stomatology and Institute of Stomatological Research, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
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Decreased nanobacteria levels and symptoms of nanobacteria-associated interstitial cystitis/painful bladder syndrome after tetracycline treatment. Int Urogynecol J 2009; 21:103-9. [PMID: 19760079 DOI: 10.1007/s00192-009-0994-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2009] [Accepted: 08/24/2009] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS This study was designed to detect whether nanobacteria (NB) reside in urine and bladder tissue samples of patients with interstitial cystitis/painful bladder syndrome (IC/PBS) and whether antibiotic therapy targeting these organisms is effective in reducing NB levels and IC/PBS symptoms. METHODS Twenty-seven IC/PBS patients underwent cystoscopy. Bladder biopsies and urine samples were obtained and cultured for NB, which were identified by indirect immunofluorescent staining and transmission electron microscopy. RESULTS Eleven bladder samples showed growth of microbes that were identified to be similar to NB. Homologous study of the 16S ribosomal RNA gene suggested that the NB could be the pathogen. For enrolled 11 patients, NB levels decreased dramatically after tetracycline treatment, and they reported significant reduction in the severity of IC/PBS symptoms. CONCLUSIONS A high prevalence of NB was observed in female IC/PBS, and anti-NB treatment effectively improved the symptoms, which suggest that NB may cause some cases of IC/PBS.
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