title: Nanoparticle conversion to biofilms: in vitro demonstration using serum-derived mineralo-organic nanoparticles.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Mineralo-organic nanoparticles (NPs) detected in biological fluids have been described as precursors of physiological and pathological calcifications in the body. Our main objective was to examine the early stages of mineral NP formation in body fluids.
  
  
  METHODS
  A nanomaterial approach based on atomic force microscopy, dynamic light scattering, electron microscopy and spectroscopy was used.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mineral particles, which contain the serum proteins albumin and fetuin-A, initially precipitate in the form of round amorphous NPs that gradually grow in size, aggregate and coalesce to form crystalline mineral films similar to the structures observed in calcified human arteries.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our study reveals the early stages of particle formation and provides a platform to analyze the role(s) of mineralo-organic NPs in human tissues.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Nanomaterials, Chang Gung University, Gueishan, Taoyuan 33302, Taiwan.|Center for Molecular & Clinical Immunology, Chang Gung University, Gueishan, Taoyuan 33302, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Tsui-Yin
authors.initials: TY
authors.lastname: Wong
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Nanomaterials, Chang Gung University, Gueishan, Taoyuan 33302, Taiwan.|Center for Molecular & Clinical Immunology, Chang Gung University, Gueishan, Taoyuan 33302, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Hsin-Hsin
authors.initials: HH
authors.lastname: Peng
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Nanomaterials, Chang Gung University, Gueishan, Taoyuan 33302, Taiwan.|Center for Molecular & Clinical Immunology, Chang Gung University, Gueishan, Taoyuan 33302, Taiwan.|Research Center of Bacterial Pathogenesis, Chang Gung University, Gueishan, Taoyuan 33302, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Cheng-Yeu
authors.initials: CY
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Nanomaterials, Chang Gung University, Gueishan, Taoyuan 33302, Taiwan.|Center for Molecular & Clinical Immunology, Chang Gung University, Gueishan, Taoyuan 33302, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Jan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Martel
authors.affiliation: Center for Molecular & Clinical Immunology, Chang Gung University, Gueishan, Taoyuan 33302, Taiwan.|Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of the Pacific, Arthur Dugoni School of Dentistry, San Francisco, CA 94103, USA.
authors.forename: David M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Ojcius
authors.affiliation: Department of Materials Engineering, Ming Chi University of Technology, Taishan, New Taipei City 24301, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Fu-Yung
authors.initials: FY
authors.lastname: Hsu
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Nanomaterials, Chang Gung University, Gueishan, Taoyuan 33302, Taiwan.|Center for Molecular & Clinical Immunology, Chang Gung University, Gueishan, Taoyuan 33302, Taiwan.|Laboratory of Cellular Physiology & Immunology, Rockefeller University, New York, NY 10021, USA.|Biochemical Engineering Research Center, Ming Chi University of Technology, Taishan, New Taipei City 24301, Taiwan.
authors.forename: John D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Young
mesh_terms: D018441:Biofilms / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development; D001826:Body Fluids / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D046529:Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; D008903:Minerals / Q000737:chemistry / Q000627:therapeutic use; D053758:Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000627:therapeutic use / Q000648:ultrastructure; D009930:Organic Chemicals / Q000737:chemistry / Q000627:therapeutic use; D044967:Serum / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D008903:Minerals; D009930:Organic Chemicals
keywords: biological fluids; biomineralization; calcium granules; carbonate apatite; ectopic calcification; mineral biofilms; mineral particles; mineralo-organic interface