OBJECTIVETo investigate the functions of sodium tripolyphosphate (STTP) and polyacrylic acid (PAA) in the process of collagen biomimetic mineralization. This would allow future applications to other collagen matrices such as bone collagen or 3-D collagen scaffolds.

METHODSGlass cover slips and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) grids were coated with reconstituted typeIcollagen fibrils. Mineralization of the reconstituted collagens was demonstrated with scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and TEM using a Portland cement-containing resin composite and a phosphate-containing fluid in the presence of PAA and STTP. The rest were immersed in a biomimetic remineralization medium without PAA and/or STTP (control).

RESULTSIn the presence of PAA and STTP in the mineralization medium, intrafibrillar mineralization based on the non-classical crystallisation pathway could be identified. Mineral phases were evident within the collagen fibrils as early as 12 h after the initially-formed amorphous calcium phosphate nanoprecursors were transformed into apatite nanocrystals. Collagens at 72 h were heavily mineralized with periodically arranged intrafibrillar apatite platelets. Conversely, only large mineral spheres with no preferred association with collagen fibrils were observed in the absence of biomimetic analogues in the medium (control).

CONCLUSIONSIntrafibrillar apatite deposition can be achieved via biomimetic mineralization system containing PAA and STTP when amorphous calcium phosphate precursor is stabilized.