Comparison of Mineralization Ability of Cell Nanofragments From Different Cells

Objectives: We have previously demonstrated that cell membrane nanofragments (phospholipids) could be nucleation site for mineralization (calcium phosphate deposition) (Hara ES et al, ACS Biomater Sci Eng, 2018). The objectives of this study were to fabricate nanofragments from different cells, and investigate the mineralization ability of these nanofragments.
Methods: Artificial cell nanofragments were fabricated and collected from chondrogenic, osteoblastic cells and fibroblastic cells. In vitro mineralization assay was performed by incubating the cell nanofragments in normal culture medium supplemented with beta-glycerophosphate, followed by alizarin red staining, for detection of mineralized material. Analysis of the mineral size and shape was performed after electron microscope obsevation.
Results: The results showed that nanofragments from all differerent cells could promote mineral formation after 7 days of culture. Lower mineralization ability was found in nanofragments from fibroblasts. The size of minerals were also smaller in fibroblast-derived nanofragments.
Conclusions: Taken together, these results indicated that cell nanofragments from different cells can be nucleation site for mineral formation. Future studies are necessary to optimize the use of nanofragments as material for in vitro synthesis of bone tissue.