A materials science vision of extracellular matrix mineralization

Abstract

From an engineering perspective, skeletal tissues are remarkable structures in that they are lightweight, stiff and tough, yet produced at ambient conditions. The biomechanical success of skeletal tissues is largely attributable to the process of biomineralization -a tightly regulated, cell-driven formation of billions of inorganic nanocrystals formed from ions found abundantly in body fluids. In this Review, we discuss nature's strategies to produce and sustain appropriate biomechanical properties in mineralizing (by promotion of mineralization) and nonmineralizing (by inhibition of mineralization) tissues. We review how perturbations of biomineralization are controlled over a continuum which spans from the desirable (or defective in disease) mineralization of the skeleton, to pathological cardiovascular mineralization, and to mineralization of bioengineered constructs. A materials science vision of mineralization is presented with an emphasis on the micro-and nanostructure of mineralized tissues recently revealed by state-of-the-art analytical methods, and on how biomineralization-inspired designs are impacting the field of synthetic materials. Web summaryComplex mechanisms are at play in the biomineralization of skeletal tissues and in patholological calcification in the cardiovascular system. In this Review, the physiochemical and biomechanical properties of mineralized tissues, both physiologic and pathophysiologic, and analytical methods to elucidate their finer structure are discussed.

Functional Adaptation of the Calcaneus in Historical Foot Binding

“…At this level, ordered arrays of collagen alternate their orientation either in the direction of their own trabecula or in the direction of one of contiguous trabeculae . Moreover, the microheterogeneity and inherent prestress of bone material also contribute to shock‐dampening . To infer a general principle from this, the shock‐dampening function is implemented at the anatomical level (eg, foot arches), at the tissue level (trabecular bone topology), and at the material level (co‐alignment of collagen fibrils, and prestress).…”

Enzymatic Reaction Generates Biomimic Nanominerals with Superior Bioactivity

“…As an inorganic‐organic hybrid nanostructured biomaterial, the EACP nanoparticles are composed of calcium phosphate and biomolecules of ATP, ADP, and AMP. The calcium phosphate mineral is a natural material in the bone tissue, and widely used in bone related biomedical applications . In addition, the biomolecules of ATP, ADP, and AMP are present in various cells and play a critical role in energy metabolism.…”

“…In vivo mineralization is a multistep process involving mineral‐protein complexes and metastable compounds, which is a fundamental example of “minimum inventory/maximum diversity” in vertebrates, providing physiological functions by selected use of limited biological elements . The resulting materials of the in vivo mineralization process often exhibit unique combination of strength, toughness and various biological properties .…”

The Horizon of the Emulsion Particulate Strategy: Engineering Hollow Particles for Biomedical Applications

“…[113] But, as the "living medicines," stem cells are highly sensitive to the biophysical cues, which required the delicate design and optimizations of the extracellular microenvironment. [115] More importantly, by controlling upon the intrinsic and extrinsic emulsion particulate process, cell/ECM interphase with various surface chemistry and topography were functioned in situ. Previous attempts centered on developing cell aggregates.…”