title: Ectopic calcification: importance of common nanoparticle scaffolds containing oxidized acidic lipids.
abstract: The term nanobacteria, sometimes referred to as nanobacteria-like particles (NLPs), is presently recognized as a misnomer for inert calcified nanoparticles. However, misinterpretation of its propagation as a living organism still continues. Ultrastructural and elemental analyses, combining immuno-electron microscopy with an original NLP isolate (P-17) derived from urinary stones, and an IgM monoclonal antibody (CL-15) raised against P-17 have now revealed that, oxidized lipids with acidified functional groups were key elements in NLP propagation. Lamellar structures composed of acidic/oxidized lipids provided structural scaffolds for carbonate apatite crystals. During in vitro culture, lipid peroxidation induced by γ-irradiation of FBS was a major cause of accelerated NLP propagation. In pathological tissue samples from hyperlipidemic atherosclerosis-prone mice, CL-15 co-localized with fatty plaques, macrophage infiltrates and osteocalcin staining of aortic valve lesions. These observations indicate that naturally occurring NLP composed of mineralo-oxidized lipids complexes are generated as by-products rather than etiological agents of chronic inflammation.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  The term "nanobacteria-like particles (NLPs)" is presently recognized as a misnomer for inert calcified nanoparticles as opposed to living organisms. This study convincingly demonstrates that naturally occurring NLPs composed of mineralo-oxidized lipid complexes are generated as by-products rather than etiological agents of chronic inflammation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama, Japan. Electronic address: kumon@md.okayama-u.ac.jp.
authors.forename: Hiromi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kumon
authors.affiliation: Department of Cell Chemistry, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama, Japan.
authors.forename: Eiji
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Matsuura
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Morphology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama, Japan.
authors.forename: Noriyuki
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Nagaoka
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Morphology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama, Japan.
authors.forename: Toshio
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Yamamoto
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama, Japan.
authors.forename: Shinya
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Uehara
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama, Japan.
authors.forename: Motoo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Araki
authors.affiliation: Department of Cell Chemistry, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama, Japan.
authors.forename: Yukana
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Matsunami
authors.affiliation: Department of Cell Chemistry, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama, Japan.
authors.forename: Kazuko
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kobayashi
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama, Japan.
authors.forename: Akira
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Matsumoto
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000737:chemistry; D001021:Aortic Valve / Q000473:pathology; D002114:Calcinosis; D003470:Culture Media; D007075:Immunoglobulin M / Q000737:chemistry; D007249:Inflammation; D008055:Lipids / Q000737:chemistry*; D008264:Macrophages / Q000166:cytology; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D053758:Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry*; D036103:Nanotechnology; D015675:Osteocalcin / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D010100:Oxygen / Q000737:chemistry*; D014545:Urinary Calculi / Q000648:ultrastructure
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D003470:Culture Media; D007075:Immunoglobulin M; D008055:Lipids; D015675:Osteocalcin; D010100:Oxygen
keywords: Ectopic calcification; Nanobacteria-like particles; Nanoparticles; Oxidized lipids