Structural Relationship between Calcite–Gelatine Composites and Biogenic (Human) Otoconia

Simon, Paul; Carrillo‐Cabrera, W.; Huang, Ya‐Xi; Buder, Jana; Borrmann, Horst; Cardoso‐Gil, Raúl; Rosseeva, Elena; Yarin, Yury M.; Zahnert, Thomas; Kniep, Rüdiger

doi:10.1002/ejic.201100756

Cited by 25 publications

(50 citation statements)

References 35 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…The X-ray powder pattern of biomimetically grown otoconia also confirms the presence of calcite as the inorganic component [25]. Completely developed specimens of biomimetic and biogenic (human) otoconia were glued on glass capillaries for investigation by single crystal X-ray methods [25,26]. Optical micrographs of the individuals together with the respective Bragg diffraction patterns are shown in Fig.…”

Section: Biomimetic Morphogenesis and Bulk Characterization In Relatimentioning

confidence: 88%

“…Biomimetic otoconia were grown by double-diffusion in gelatin-gel matrices [25,26]. The horizontal tubes of the U-shaped diffusion cells were filled with gelatine-gel while the vertical tubes contained aqueous solutions (pH = 7.4) of CaCl 2 , and Na 2 CO 3 , respectively.…”

Section: Biomimetic Morphogenesis and Bulk Characterization In Relatimentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The biomimetically grown otoconia contain an amount of gelatine between 1.9 wt-% and 2.6 wt-% as determined by TG measurements and chemical analyses [25]. For human otoconia a maximum value of 3.2 wt-% for the organic components (mainly glycoproteins and glycosaminoglycans) [11,33,34] was determined by spectroscopic investigations [26]. This value (3.2 wt-%) may be even lower because of the surface organics which could not be completely removed from the tiny individuals.…”

Section: Biomimetic Morphogenesis and Bulk Characterization In Relatimentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

Otoconia: Mimicking a calcite-based functional material of the human body. From basic research to medical aspects

Kniep

2015

Pure and Applied Chemistry

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Otoconia (calcite-based biominerals) are part of the sensory system in the inner ear of vertebrates, acting as gravity receptors responding to linear accelerations. Biomimetic otoconia are grown by doublediffusion into gelatine-gel matrices, and represent the first example of successful imitation of a biomineral, not only in outer shape but also in composite structure and hierarchical inner architecture. Biomimetic and biogenic (human) otoconia are investigated by X-ray methods, chemical analytics, ESEM, and TEM. Shape development (morphogenesis) as well as (partial) dissolution of the calcite component of the composite underline the hierarchical inner architecture built of more dense rhombohedral branches (with plane endfaces) and a rounded, more porous belly area. Atomistic simulations are performed in order to get insight into very first nucleation steps. Based on the detailed observations made up to now, first assumptions for the function of otoconia are developed, including the questions of density distribution within the volume of the specimen, the surrounding endolymph, as well as anchoring and interconnections of otoconia. A final point concerns the degeneration of otoconia which is caused by complexing agents and/or changes in ion concentrations (and pH) of the endolymph.

show abstract

Section: Biomimetic Morphogenesis and Bulk Characterization In Relatimentioning

confidence: 88%

Section: Biomimetic Morphogenesis and Bulk Characterization In Relatimentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Biomimetic Morphogenesis and Bulk Characterization In Relatimentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Otoconia: Mimicking a calcite-based functional material of the human body. From basic research to medical aspects

Kniep

2015

Pure and Applied Chemistry

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…In this case, the belly is dissolved first while the branches are attacked at later stages. The sequences of anisotropic dissolution clearly reveal the hierarchical inner architecture of otoconia consisting of 3+3 branches and a surrounding belly as shown in Figure 1a [4][5][6]11].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The nano-sized calcite component of human otoconia is intergrown with a small amount of organic material (<5%) forming the composite structure. Recent studies have revealed the inner structure of human otoconia consisting of a hierarchical architecture with a dumbbell-shaped dense area (branches) surrounded by a less dense, more porous structure (belly) (Figures 1a and 1b) [4][5][6].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Destructive properties of formalin on human otoconia

Kniep¹,

Buder²,

Blödow³

et al. 2015

J Histol Histopathol

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Background: Formalin is a preservation media for human tissues. Since the chemical structure is known, interaction in tissue preparation can be expected, that affect otoconia morphology. To investigate the suitability of the preservation media using formalin and ethanol for human otoconia in order to prove a shortterm and long-term storage after sampling. Methods: Intact and degenerate human otoconia samples were exposed to formalin and pure ethanol. Morphological changes were observed by use of environmental scanning electron microscopy (ESEM). Results: By means of detailed environmental electron microscopy (ESEM) investigations it was shown that formalin is not a suitable storage medium for human otoconia. The solvent of the formalin solution (H 2 O) attacks the calcite component of human otoconia immediately after exposure. At the same time the organic components of otoconia (proteins) are stabilized by interaction with formaldehyde and their original structure remains unaffected. After ethanol exposure, the morphology of otoconia remains unchanged. Conclusions: Formalin is not suitable for preservation of tissue material containing otoconia if further ultrastructural and morphological investigations should be performed. A suitable medium for preserving otoconia is pure ethanol, which keeps the composite structure without morphological changes over a long period of time.

show abstract

Crystal Growth of Calcium Carbonate in Hydrogels as a Model of Biomineralization

Asenath‐Smith

Keene

et al. 2012

Adv Funct Materials

196

307

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

A gel is defi ned as a two-component (solid and liquid), continuous, solid-like material with viscoelastic rheological Crystal Growth of Calcium Carbonate in Hydrogels as a Model of BiomineralizationIn recent years, the prevalence of hydrogel-like organic matrices in biomineralization has gained attention as a route to synthesizing a diverse range of crystalline structures. Here, examples of hydrogels in biological, as well as synthetic, bio-inspired systems are discussed. Particular attention is given to understanding the physical versus chemical effects of a broad range of hydrogel matrices and their role in directing polymorph selectivity and morphological control in the calcium carbonate system. Finally, recent data regarding hydrogel-matrix incorporation into the growing crystals is discussed and a mechanism for the formation of these single-crystal composite materials is presented. Future and is researching crystal growth in gels as a means to form nanocomposites.chains form helices (double or single helices) that subsequently aggregate into three-dimensional (3D) bundles, forming a porous network with fi brous characteristics (Figure 1 a,b). [ 82 , 83 ] Both the gelling and melting temperatures can be tailored by chemical modifi cation such as partial hydroxyethylation. [ 84 ] The mechanical behavior of agarose gels is sensitive to molecular weight and concentration [ 85 ] as well as chemical modifi cation.

show abstract

Structural Relationship between Calcite–Gelatine Composites and Biogenic (Human) Otoconia

Cited by 25 publications

References 35 publications

Otoconia: Mimicking a calcite-based functional material of the human body. From basic research to medical aspects

Otoconia: Mimicking a calcite-based functional material of the human body. From basic research to medical aspects

Destructive properties of formalin on human otoconia

Crystal Growth of Calcium Carbonate in Hydrogels as a Model of Biomineralization

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About