# ROLE OF MATRIX VESICLES IN CALCIFICATION

> **NIH NIH R01** · UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA AT COLUMBIA · 1989 · $235,527

## Abstract

Extracellular matrix vesicles are believed to play a key role in the
initiation of calcification in cartilage, bone and dentin, but their
mechanism of action is not fully understood.  The objective of the proposed
research is to elucidate the mechanism of endochondral calcification with
special emphasis on the role of matrix vesicles.  Attention will be focused
on 1) determining factors involved in the formation and release of matrix
vesicles by cells, 2) continued characterization of their enzymes,
proteins, mineral forms and membrane constituents, and 3) further study of
the metabolism of Ca and Pi by matrix vesicles during the induction of
mineral formation.  Studies will be aimed at a) elucidating the role of
local nutritional factors on energy metabolism and its effect on cellular
Ca metabolism, b) determining the effect of cellular Ca metabolism on the
formation of calcifiable matrix vesicles, c) further elucidating the role
of alkaline phosphatase and associated proteins in the induction of mineral
formation by matrix vesicles.  We will continue to use epiphyseal growth
plate cartilage from long bones of rapidly growing chickens as the source
of our tissue and cells.  This source provides abundant, actively
calcifying material for isolation of cells and matrix vesicles, and for
studying their metabolism.  Techniques used will be tissue culture, cell
fractionation, 45Ca- and 32Pi-metabolism, chemical and physical methods:
chromatography (column, thin-layer, HPLC, 2-dimensional, etc.)
electrophoresis (PAGE, SDS-PAGE, isoelectric focusing), enzymology
(purification, kinetic analyses), spectroscopy (UV, IR, NMR, MAS-NMR),
electron microscopy (transmission, scanning, freeze-fracture), x-ray
diffraction, etc.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 3155012
- **Project number:** 5R01AR018983-13
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA AT COLUMBIA
- **SAM.gov UEI:** J22LNTMEDP73
- **Principal Investigator:** ROY E WUTHIER
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 1989
- **Award amount:** $235,527
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 1979-01-01 → 1990-02-28

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/3155012

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 3155012, ROLE OF MATRIX VESICLES IN CALCIFICATION (5R01AR018983-13). Retrieved via MORVS 2026-10-24 from https://api.morvs.ai/grant/nih/3155012. Licensed CC0.

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