Theories Of Calcification

Theories of calcification
Answer:

1. Nucleation theory

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Proposed by Neumann
According to it, the nucleus is formed in relation to collagen which is effective in the aggregation of calcium and phosphate ions
Due to this addition of hydroxyapatite crystals into saturated surrounding fluids, these crystals grow spontaneously
Nucleation sites may be
- Ground substance
Composed of sulfated glycosaminoglycans and proteoglycans
- Collagen
Contains initial mineral deposits at discrete sites or on fibrils
Mitochondria
Has an indirect role in calcification as they are the earliest storage sites of calcium and phosphates in the form of amorphous calcium phosphate

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2. Role of matrix vesicles

Matrix vesicles are small membrane-bound structures lying free in matrix
They are rich in phospholipids, especially phosphatidyl serine which has a high affinity to calcium ions
Vesicles also contain annexin which forms calcium channels

Calcification:

The extracellular matrix contains high levels of calcium and phosphate concentration
Calcium channels present on matrix vesicles lead to the entry of calcium and phosphate into it
When a certain thickness is reached, these hydroxyapatite crystals are released into the extracellular matrix
These released crystals serve as templates for the formation of crystalline arrays

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3. Role of alkaline phosphatase

Alkaline phosphatase participates in the process of calcification
This enzyme is present in matrix vesicles of chondrocytes, osteoblasts, and odontoblasts
It hydrolyses organic phosphate-containing substrates and increases inorganic phosphate concentration
This inorganic phosphate contributes to the formation of hydroxyapatite crystals

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