title: Matrix mineralization in MC3T3-E1 cell cultures initiated by beta-glycerophosphate pulse.
abstract: MC3T3-E1 cells, grown in the presence of serum and ascorbate, express alkaline phosphatase and produce an extensive collagenous extracellular matrix that can be mineralized by the addition of beta-glycerophosphate (beta-GP). In the present work, we study the influence of concentration and duration of beta-GP treatment on the mineralization pattern in 4-week-old cell cultures. Amount and structure of mineral deposition were monitored by von Kossa staining, light, and electron microscopy, as well as small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) of unstained specimens. SAXS measures the total surface of the mineral phase and is therefore preferentially sensitive to very small crystals (typically <50 nm). It was used to determine the ratio (M) of small crystals to collagen matrix. A variety of mineralization patterns was observed to occur simultaneously, some associated with collagen within nodules or in deeper layers of the cultures and some independent of it. At a beta-GP concentration of 10 mmol, mineralization was initiated after about 24 h and continued to increase, irrespective of whether the high level of beta-GP was maintained or reduced to 2 mmol. With shorter pulses (<24 h), no significant mineralization was observed in the week following beta-GP pulse. With continuous treatment at 5 mmol beta-GP, the first signs of mineralization were detected 14 days after the beginning of treatment in the 4-week-old cultures, but no mineralization at all occurred at lower beta-GP concentrations. When cells were grown without ascorbic acid for 4 weeks, only two cell layers without collagen matrix were found. In these cultures, no mineralization detectable by SAXS could be induced with beta-GP. These data indicate that, in viable cells, high doses of beta-GP are essential for the nucleation of mineral crystals, but not for the progression of mineralization once crystals had been nucleated. In contrast, when 4-week-old cell cultures were devitalized, M was found to increase immediately, even at 2 mmol beta-GP. These results suggest that, in MC3T3-E1 cell cultures, cell viability is essential for prevention of spontaneous mineralization of the extracellular matrix.
authors.affiliation: Ludwig Boltzmann-Institut für Osteologie, 4. Medizinische Abteilung, Hanusch Krankenhaus, Wien, Austria.
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Fratzl-Zelman
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Fratzl
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Hörandner
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Grabner
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Varga
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ellinger
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Klaushofer
mesh_terms: D016475:3T3 Cells / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure; D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D002113:Calcification, Physiologic / Q000187:drug effects; D018929:Cell Culture Techniques; D003094:Collagen / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure; D005109:Extracellular Matrix / Q000378:metabolism*; D005994:Glycerophosphates / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051379:Mice; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D012542:Scattering, Radiation; D014965:X-Rays
chemical_list: D005994:Glycerophosphates; D003094:Collagen; D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase; C031463:beta-glycerophosphoric acid