Contribution of organic material to the ion composition of bone.

Studies of bone mineral ranging from cadaveric analysis to the use of high-resolution ion microprobe with secondary ion mass spectroscopy (SIMS) have concluded that bone is rich in sodium and potassium relative to calcium. Exposure of bone to acid conditions either in vitro or in vivo leads to an exchange of hydrogen ions for sodium and potassium buffering the acidity of the medium or blood, respectively. Whether these monovalent ions reside within the mineral or organic phases of bone has never been determined. To determine the contribution of organic material to bone ion composition, we dissected calvariae from 4- to 6-day-old mice, removed organic material of some with hydrazine (Hydr), and prepared all bones for analysis using a high-resolution scanning ion microprobe coupled to a secondary ion mass spectrometer. We found that in non-Hydr-treated calvariae (Ctl) there was far more surface sodium and potassium than calcium (23Na/ 40Ca = 15.7 + 1.9, ratio of counts of detected secondary ions, mean + 95% CI, 39K/40Ca = 44.0 + 1.5). Removal of organic material with hydrazine (Hydr) led to a marked fall in the ratio of sodium to calcium and potassium to calcium (23Na/40Ca = 5.9 + 1.4, p < 0.025 vs. respective Ctl and 39K/40Ca = 1.1 + 1.5, p < 0.001 vs. respective Ctl). Similarly, when examining the cross-section of the calvariae there was more sodium and potassium than calcium (23Na/40Ca = 8.6 + 1.6, 39K/40Ca = 26.7 + 1.8). Treatment with Hydr again caused a marked fall in both ratios (23Na/40Ca = 0.3 + 1.6, p < 0.001 vs. respective Ctl and 39K/40Ca = 0.02 + 1.9, p < 0.001 vs. respective Ctl). Thus, within bone the organic material contains the majority of the sodium and potassium. This suggests that the organic material in bone and not the mineral itself is responsible for the acute buffering of the additional hydrogen ions during metabolic acidosis.

Effects of in vivo metabolic acidosis on midcortical bone ion composition.

Chronic metabolic acidosis increases urine calcium excretion without altering intestinal calcium absorption, suggesting that bone mineral is the source of the additional urinary calcium. During metabolic acidosis there appears to be an influx of protons into bone mineral, lessening the magnitude of the decrement in pH. Although in vitro studies strongly support a marked effect of metabolic acidosis on the ion composition of bone, there are few in vivo observations. We utilized a high-resolution scanning ion microprobe with secondary ion mass spectroscopy to determine whether in vivo metabolic acidosis would alter bone mineral in a manner consistent with its purported role in buffering the increased proton concentration. Postweanling mice were provided distilled drinking water with or without 1.5% NH(4)Cl for 7 days; arterial blood gas was then determined. The addition of NH(4)Cl led to a fall in blood pH and HCO(-)(3) concentration. The animals were killed on day 7, and the femurs were dissected and split longitudinally. The bulk cortical ratios Na/Ca, K/Ca, total phosphate/carbon-nitrogen bonds [(PO(2) + PO(3))/CN], and HCO(-)(3)/CN each fell after 1 wk of metabolic acidosis. Because metabolic acidosis induces bone Ca loss, the fall in Na/Ca and K/Ca indicates a greater efflux of bone Na and K than Ca, suggesting H substitution for Na and K on the mineral. The fall in (PO(2) + PO(3))/CN indicates release of mineral phosphates, and the fall in HCO(-)(3)/CN indicates release of mineral HCO(-)(3). Each of these mechanisms would result in buffering of the excess protons and returning the systemic pH toward normal.

Effect of metabolic acidosis on the potassium content of bone.

Metabolic acidosis induces resorption of cultured bone, resulting in a net efflux of calcium (Ca) from the bone and an apparent loss of mineral potassium (K). However, in these organ cultures, there is diffusion of K between the medium and the crystal lattice, causing difficulty in interpretation of the acid-induced changes in mineral ion composition. To determine the effects of acidosis on bone mineral K, we injected 4-day-old neonatal mice with pure stable isotope 41K, equal to approximately 5% of their total body K. Calvariae were dissected 24 h later and then cultured for 24 h in medium without added 41K, either at pH approximately 7.4 (Ctl) or at pH approximately 7.1 (Ac), with or without the osteoclastic inhibitor calcitonin (3 x 10(-9) M, CT). The bone isotopic ion content was determined with a high-resolution scanning ion microprobe utilizing secondary ion mass spectrometry. 41K is present in nature at 6.7% of total K. The injected 41K raised the ratio of bone 41K/(39K+41K) to 9.8+/-0.5% on the surface (ratios of counts per second of detected secondary ions, mean+/-95% confidence interval) but did not alter the ratio in the interior (6.9+/-0.4%), indicating biological incorporation of the 41K into the mineral surface. The ratios of 41K/40Ca on the surface of Ctl calvariae was 14.4+/-1.2, indicating that bone mineral surface is rich in K compared with Ca. Compared with Ctl, Ac caused a marked increase in the net Ca efflux from bone that was blocked by CT. Ac also induced a marked fall in the ratio of 41K/40Ca on the surface of the calvariae (43+/-0.5, p < 0.01 vs. Ctl), which was partially blocked by CT (8.2+/-0.9, p < 0.01 vs. Ctl and vs. Ac), indicating that Ac causes a greater release of bone mineral K than Ca which is partially blocked by CT. Thus, bone mineral surface is rich in K relative to Ca, acidosis induces a greater release of surface mineral K than Ca, and osteoclastic function is necessary to support the enriched levels of surface mineral K in the presence of acidosis.

Imaging of BrdU-labeled human metaphase chromosomes with a high resolution scanning ion microprobe.

Detailed maps of the A-T distribution within human mitotic chromosomes labeled with BrdU are obtained with a high resolution scanning ion microprobe through the detection of bromine by imaging secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS). Corresponding maps of the emission loci of the molecular ion CN- describe the overall DNA, RNA and protein distribution in the chromosomes. Several chromosome preparations exhibit base-specific banding patterns (SIMS-bands) which mimic the well known G- or Q-bands resulting from conventional staining methods for optical microscopy. SIMS-bands are more noticeable in mitotic cells at the first cell cycle and after in situ denaturation or Giemsa staining. Sister chromatid exchanges (SCE) at the second cell cycle and beyond, occurring both spontaneously and promoted following cell culture exposure to the chemical aphidicolin (an inhibitor of DNA replication), can be visualized readily from the relative label signal intensities between sister chromatids. The comparison of base-specific label maps with CN- maps, in conjunction with the appearance of base-specific banding patterns, is informative about protein survival and/or removal following different chromosome preparation protocols. In addition, the resulting condensation state of the chromosomes can be appraised during SIMS analysis from the sample topography (imaged via the collection of mass-unresolved secondary ions). We demonstrate that imaging SIMS is a powerful complement to existing methods for the study of banding mechanisms and for the elucidation of chromosome structure. The advantages of this novel approach to the systematic and quantitative study of cytogenetic phenomena and methodologies are still largely untapped.

Effects of osteoclastic resorption on bone surface ion composition.

Osteoclasts are responsible for resorption of bone mineral. To determine how osteoclasts alter bone surface ion composition, neonatal mouse bone cells were isolated and cultured in the presence of parathyroid hormone (PTH) on bovine cortical bone. Surface ion composition of the resulting osteoclastic resorption pits was compared with that of unresorbed bone, utilizing a high-resolution scanning ion microprobe. Cortical bone cultured with cells in the presence of PTH had numerous resorption pits. The unresorbed area adjacent to the pits had a ratio of surface 23Na/40Ca of 18.7 + 1.6 (mean counts per second of detected secondary ions +95% confidence interval) and 39K/40Ca of 2.3 + 2.2. At the base of the pits, the ratio of 23Na/40Ca was 1.0 + 2.0 and 39K/40Ca was 0.1 + 1.0 (each different from area adjacent to the pit, P < 0.001). The ratio of 23Na/39K in the unresorbed area was not different from that at the base of the pit. Thus osteoclasts induce a decrease in the ratio of surface ion composition of both 23Na/40Ca and 39K/40Ca but not 23Na/39K in bovine cortical bone. The elevated ratios of 23Na/40Ca and 39K/40Ca on the surface, but not at the base of the pits, indicate adsorption of medium ions onto the mineral. Because osteoclasts foster the release of bone Ca, these results indicate that osteoclastic resorption causes a greater, and approximately equal, release of both 23Na and 39K compared with 40Ca from bone mineral. Osteoclasts appear to remove nonselectively the surface mineral that had been exposed to the medium, uncovering underlying mineral.

Advances in high resolution SIMS studies of BrdU-labelled human metaphase chromosomes.

The detection of bromine in human metaphase chromosomes labelled with the thymidine-analog BrdU, by imaging Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry (SIMS) with a high resolution scanning ion microprobe, provides detailed maps of the AT distribution within the chromosomes. Similarly, maps of the emitted CN-molecular ions describe the overall DNA, RNA and protein distribution, details of which are also revealed by maps of the divalent cations Ca+ and Mg+. Base-specific banding patterns (SIMS bands), mimicking the well known G-or Q-bands resulting from conventional staining methods for optical microscopy, are observed in several preparations, more noticeably in mitotic cells at the first cell division, after in situ DNA denaturation, or Giemsa staining. A structured distribution, seemingly related to G/Q-banding patterns, is also observed in the Mg+ and Ca+ maps. The differential label signal intensities between sister chromatids, at the second cell division and beyond, manifest the occurrence of sister chromatid exchanges (SCE), occurring both spontaneously and induced following exposure of the cells to the chemical aphidicolin (an inhibitor of DNA replication). Imaging SIMS emerges as a powerful investigative method for the study of chromosome structure and the elucidation of banding mechanisms, to assess the removal of proteins and DNA involved in chromosome preparation and in situ procedures, and in the study of a number of cytogenetic phenomena.

Effects of aluminum on bone surface ion composition.

Aluminum induces net calcium efflux from cultured bone. To determine whether aluminum alters the bone surface ion composition in a manner consistent with predominantly cell-mediated resorption, a combination of cell-mediated resorption and physicochemical dissolution or physicochemical dissolution alone, we utilized an analytic high-resolution scanning ion microprobe with secondary ion mass spectroscopy to determine the effects of aluminum on bone surface ion composition. We cultured neonatal mouse calvariae with or without aluminum (10(-7) M) for 24 h and determined the relative ion concentrations of 23Na, 27Al, 39K, and 40Ca on the bone surface and eroded subsurface. Control calvariae have a surface (depth approximately 6 nm) that is rich in Na and K compared with Ca(Na/Ca) = 24.4 + 1.4, mean + 95% confidence limit of counts per second of detected secondary ions, K+Ca = 13.2 + 0.9). Aluminum is incorporated into the bone and causes a depletion of surface Na and K relative to Ca (Na/Ca = 9.6 + 0.7, K/Ca = 4.9 + 0.4; each p < 0.001 versus control). After erosion (depth approximately 50 nm), control calvariae have more Na and K than Ca (Na/Ca = 16.0 + 0.1, K/Ca = 7.5 + 0.1); aluminum again depleted Na and K relative to Ca (Na/Ca = 4.1 + 0.1 K/Ca = 1.9 + 0.1; each p < 0.001 versus control). Aluminum produced a greater net efflux of Ca (362 +/- 53, mean +/- SE, nmol/bone/24 h) than control (60 +/- 30, p < 0.001). With aluminum, the fall in the ratios of both Na/Ca and K/Ca coupled with net Ca release from bone indicates that aluminium induces a greater efflux of Na and K than Ca from the bone surface and is consistent with an aluminum-induced removal of the bone surface. This alteration in surface ion concentration and calcium efflux is consistent with that observed when calcium is lost from bone through a combination of cell-mediated resorption and physicochemical dissolution.

Nucleotide and protein distribution in BrdU-labelled polytene chromosomes revealed by ion probe mass spectrometry.

Detailed chemical maps of BrdU-labelled polytene chromosomes of Drosophila melanogaster, obtained by imaging secondary ion mass spectrometry, reveal separately the distribution of DNA and proteins in the chromosomes. The thymidine-analogue BrdU within the chromosomal DNA is localized by detecting the Br- secondary ion signal, while both nucleic acid and protein content are mapped through the abundantly emitted CN- signal. This novel approach supercedes, and helps explain the origin of, the banding patterns that are observed by conventional staining techniques. The high spatial resolution and chemical and isotopic sensitivity of this technique should enhance the localization of specific genes by in situ hybridization in mitotic chromosomes.

The absence of correlations between a clinical classification and ultrastructural findings in amelogenesis imperfecta.

This study was performed to examine whether a clinical classification of different phenotypes of amelogenesis imperfecta could be discernible at the ultrastructural level. Seventeen primary teeth from 16 children with hypomineralization, hypomaturation, or hypoplastic variants of the disease were collected for histologic studies of the enamel by means of polarized light microscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS). Polarization microscopy showed that the enamel was hypomineralized; in six teeth a wavy configuration of the enamel prisms also appeared. Three histomorphologic main types could be discerned. In 10 of the teeth extensive hypomineralization of the bulk of the enamel was found. One tooth had an unusually thick enamel with only a thin normally mineralized surface layer. SIMS images showed less pronounced signals from Ca2+ and Na+ but with stronger signals from Cl- and CN-, representing the organic component of enamel. The SEM images showed an irregular prism pattern with marked interprismatic areas. Irrespective of the clinical appearance or the hereditary pattern the main findings were hypomineralized enamel with or without wavy bands. Neither of the analytical methods used in this paper distinguishes between the clinical phenotypes of amelogenesis imperfecta.

Alteration in surface ion composition of cultured bone during metabolic, but not respiratory, acidosis.

Acidosis produced by a fall in [HCO3-] (metabolic acidosis, Met) produces greater Ca efflux from cultured bone than that produced by a rise in PCO2 (respiratory acidosis, Resp). To compare the effects of Met and Resp on bone surface ion composition we measured the surface abundance of 40Ca, 23Na, and 39K in cultured bone with a scanning ion microprobe utilizing secondary-ion mass spectrometry. Neonatal mouse calvariae were incubated for 24 h in medium simulating either Met (pH = 7.193 +/- 0.034, [HCO3-] = 15.1 +/- 1.4 meq/l), Resp (pH = 7.153 +/- 0.014, PCO2 = 85.4 +/- 1.2 mmHg) or normal physiological (Ctl; pH = 7.484 +/- 0.009, [HCO3-] = 29.7 +/- 0.7, PCO2 = 39.6 +/- 0.3) conditions. The surface of Ctl at 2-nm depth is rich in Na and K relative to Ca (Na/Ca = 25.6, K/Ca = 12.0, ratios of counts/s of secondary ions). Compared with Ctl, Met produced a sharp fall in both Na/Ca (6.5, P less than 0.01) and K/Ca (4.6, P less than 0.01), whereas Resp did not alter Na/Ca (23.8) or K/Ca (15.0). Ca efflux was greater in Met (873 +/- 54 nmol.bone-1.24 h-1) than in Resp (546 +/- 71 nmol.bone-1.24 h-1, P less than 0.01), which was greater than that in Ctl (315 +/- 49 nmol.bone-1.24 h-1, P less than 0.01 vs. Met and vs. Resp).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Comparison of in vitro and in vivo 44Ca labeling of bone by scanning ion microprobe.

To determine whether Ca incorporation from medium into cultured bone represents normal mineralization, we labeled some neonatal mouse calvariae in vitro and others in vivo with the stable isotope 44Ca and compared surface label localization with a scanning ion microprobe utilizing secondary ion mass spectrometry. To label in vitro, we incubated live calvariae in medium containing 40Ca or 44Ca for 3 h. Compared with a 44Ca/40Ca ratio of 0.020 with 1 mM 40Ca, the ratio with 1 mM 44Ca was 0.135 and with 2 mM 44Ca was 0.556. Erosion revealed a marked decrease in 44Ca/40Ca with depth. To label in vivo, we subcutaneously injected 40Ca or 44Ca into mice equal to a percentage of their total body weight and dissected the calvariae 24 h later. Compared with a 44Ca/40Ca ratio of 0.021 with 2% 40Ca, the ratio with 2% 44Ca was 0.120 and with 6% 44Ca was 0.205. Erosion revealed only a slight decrease in 44Ca/40Ca with depth. Elemental distribution maps of in vivo labeled samples show broad deposition of 44Ca, whereas maps of in vitro labeled bones show 44Ca preferentially localized at the surface in contact with the medium. Thus calvariae can be labeled with 44Ca both in vitro and in vivo. However, the differing patterns of isotope localization under the conditions of this study indicate that in vitro Ca deposition differs from normal in vivo bone mineralization.

Ion microprobe analysis of bone surface elements: effects of 1,25(OH)2D3.

When neonatal mouse calvariae are incubated with 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 [1,25(OH)2D3] there is net calcium efflux from the bone into the medium. The effect of this enhanced cell-mediated Ca efflux on the relative concentrations of mineral 23Na, 39K, and 40Ca has not previously been studied. We used an imaging scanning ion microprobe, utilizing secondary ion mass spectrometry, to compare the relative ion concentrations of Na, K, and Ca on the surface, subsurface, and cross-section of cultured bone incubated in the presence of 1,25(OH)2D3 with the ion concentrations in similar regions of bone incubated in unaltered control medium. Changes in mineral ion concentration were correlated with net fluxes of Na, K, and Ca relative to bone. Calvariae incubated in control medium (24 h at pH approximately 7.40) have abundant surface Na and K relative to Ca (Na/Ca, 85 and K/Ca, 68), whereas the subsurface has less Na/Ca (21) and K/Ca (23), and on cross section the ratios of both Na/Ca (2.0) and K/Ca (1.9) decrease further. After incubation with 10(-8) M 1,25(OH)2D3, there is a significant increase in bone surface Na/Ca (154) and K/Ca (141) without a change in these ratios on the subsurface and a small fall in both ratios on cross section. The linear relationship between Na/Ca and K/Ca across the three regions of bone observed in control calvariae did not change with 1,25(OH)2D3 treatment. As determined by flux measurements there is a net efflux of Ca but not Na or K from bone.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Ion microprobe analysis of mouse calvariae in vitro: evidence for a "bone membrane".

It is not clear whether the bone mineral is in passive physicochemical equilibrium with the extracellular fluid (ECF) or is separated from it by a metabolically active partition, a so-called "bone membrane." We used a sensitive high spatial resolution scanning ion microprobe utilizing secondary ion mass spectrometry to compare the relative concentrations of 23Na, 39K, and 40Ca on the surface, subsurface, and cross section of cultured live bone with the concentrations in similar regions of dead bone. Calvariae from neonatal mice were dissected and either incubated for 24 h (live) or subjected to 3 freeze-thaw cycles to kill the bone cells prior to incubation (dead). The live bone has abundant surface Na and K relative to Ca and the Na/K is approximately unity. With dead bone there is a dramatic fall in the K/Ca and an increase in the Na/K. These findings are most consistent with an egress of bone K after cell death. Flux measurements indicate a net influx of Ca into the dead bone. The marked change in relative ion concentrations with cell death indicates that live bone is not in passive physiochemical equilibrium with the surrounding medium. There appears to be a metabolically active partition, a so-called bone membrane, between the mineral and the culture medium that utilizes bone cells to maintain ion gradients.

Ion microscopy: a new approach for subcellular localization of labelled molecules.

Secondary ion mass spectroscopy (SIMS) was used to obtain images representing the intracellular distribution of molecules labelled with carbon 14. Deoxyadenosine labelled with carbon 14 was added to a cultured human fibroblast cell medium, and the intracellular distribution of this molecule was studied using three different SIMS instruments: the CAMECA IMS 3F and SMI 300 ion microscopes and the UC-HRL scanning ion microprobe. Carbon 14 distribution images obtained by this method show that deoxyadenosine U-C14 is present in the cytoplasm as well as the nucleus, with a higher concentration in the nucleoli. Our study clearly demonstrates that ion microscopy is well suited for carbon 14 detection and localization at the subcellular level, permitting a wide variety of microanalytical tracer experiments.

Elemental imaging of dental hard tissues by secondary ion mass spectrometry.

High resolution imaging by secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) has been employed in a chemical-microstructural pilot study of different classes of hard tissues from human and rat. The special scanning ion microprobe instrumentation permitted the recording of element-resolved images with a lateral resolution of about 50 nm. Sharp distribution micrographs were obtained for Ca+, F- and CN-, and in selected specimens for Na+, K+, Mg+, O-, Cl-, C- and PO-. Several trends in the elemental kinetics of mineralization were comprehensively illustrated and new aspects were indicated. The paper points out the broad scope of interest, and the potentialities of unique applications, in SIMS imaging of biomineralized tissues, the conditions for efficient employment of the recently developed technique are briefly discussed and demonstrated.

Selective intracellular beryllium localization in rat tissue by mass-resolved ion microprobe imaging.

Beryllium absorption sites in the kidney and liver of rats have been located and imaged at approximately 70 nm lateral resolution with a scanning ion microprobe utilizing secondary ion mass spectrometry. Embedded sections and lyophilized cryosections of these organs were prepared after in vivo administration of beryllium in soluble form. Beryllium distribution images were correlated with the histological microstructure revealed by CN- images. In the kidney, beryllium concentrates selectively within the nuclei of proximal tubule cells and occasionally within modified podocytes or mesangial cells in the glomerulus. In the liver, beryllium is seen to localize within severely altered lysosomal structures as well as within hepatocyte nuclei. These observations are relevant to understanding aspects of the toxic and carcinogenic properties of absorbed beryllium compounds.