The role of proteins in the nucleation and formation of calcium-containing deposits on biomaterial surfaces

J Biomed Mater Res. 1998 Mar 5;39(3):491-7. doi: 10.1002/(sici)1097-4636(19980305)39:3<491::aid-jbm21>3.0.co;2-c.

Abstract

In experiments in vivo using diffusion chambers, the morphology and composition of calcium-containing deposits on natural and artificial biomaterials that had no direct contact with cells were studied using scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersion X-ray microanalysis. It was revealed that the formation of a protein layer containing protein-calcium complexes is the key event in biomaterial calcification. A mechanism of formation of a calcium-containing protein matrix that creates the conditions for supersaturation of the crystal-forming medium over critical value has been proposed. The formation of nuclei of insoluble calcium phosphate starts predominantly deep in an adsorbed protein layer enriched by calcium ions.

MeSH terms

  • Biocompatible Materials / chemistry*
  • Calcium / chemistry*
  • Crystallization
  • Diffusion Chambers, Culture
  • Electron Probe Microanalysis
  • Microscopy, Electron, Scanning
  • Proteins / chemistry*
  • Surface Properties

Substances

  • Biocompatible Materials
  • Proteins
  • Calcium