Multiscale Characterization of Embryonic Long Bone Mineralization in Mice

• Long bone mineralization occurs through endochondral ossification, where a cartilage template mineralizes into bone-like tissue with a hierarchical organization from the whole bone-scale down to sub-nano scale. Whereas this process has been extensively studied at the larger length scales, it remains unexplored at some of the smaller length scales. In this study, the changes in morphology, composition, and structure during embryonic mineralization of murine humeri are investigated using a range of high-resolution synchrotron-based imaging techniques at several length scales. With micro- and nanometer spatial resolution, the deposition of elements and the shaping of mineral platelets are followed. Rapid mineralization of the humeri occurs over approximately four days, where mineral to matrix ratio and calcium content in the most mineralized zone reach adult values shortly before birth. Interestingly, zinc is consistently found to be localized at the sites of ongoing new mineralization. The mineral platelets in the most recently mineralized regions are thicker, longer, narrower, and less aligned compared to those further into the mineralized region. In summary, this study demonstrates a specific spatial distribution of zinc, with highest concentration where new mineral is being deposited and that the newly formed mineral platelets undergo slight reshaping and reorganization during embryonic development.

Subject headings

NATURVETENSKAP  -- Geovetenskap och miljövetenskap -- Geologi (hsv//swe)

NATURAL SCIENCES  -- Earth and Related Environmental Sciences -- Geology (hsv//eng)

NATURVETENSKAP  -- Geovetenskap och miljövetenskap -- Geokemi (hsv//swe)

NATURAL SCIENCES  -- Earth and Related Environmental Sciences -- Geochemistry (hsv//eng)

NATURVETENSKAP  -- Geovetenskap och miljövetenskap -- Multidisciplinär geovetenskap (hsv//swe)

NATURAL SCIENCES  -- Earth and Related Environmental Sciences -- Geosciences, Multidisciplinary (hsv//eng)

Keyword

small- and wide-angle X-ray scattering

X-ray tomography

bone development

Fourier transform infra-red microspectroscopy

X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy

bone development

Fourier transform infra-red microspectroscopy

small- and wide-angle X-ray scattering

X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy

X-ray tomography

Publication and Content Type

art (subject category)

ref (subject category)