Membrane vesicles nucleate mineralo-organic nanoparticles and induce carbonate apatite precipitation in human body fluids

Application of Inorganic Nanomaterials in Cultural Heritage Conservation, Risk of Toxicity, and Preventive Measures

Nanotechnology has allowed for significant progress in architectural, artistic, archaeological, or museum heritage conservation for repairing and preventing damages produced by deterioration agents (weathering, contaminants, or biological actions). This review analyzes the current treatments using nanomaterials, including consolidants, biocides, hydrophobic protectives, mechanical resistance improvers, flame-retardants, and multifunctional nanocomposites. Unfortunately, nanomaterials can affect human and animal health, altering the environment. Right now, it is a priority to stop to analyze its advantages and disadvantages. Therefore, the aims are to raise awareness about the nanotoxicity risks during handling and the subsequent environmental exposure to all those directly or indirectly involved in conservation processes. It reports the human-body interaction mechanisms and provides guidelines for preventing or controlling its toxicity, mentioning the current toxicity research of main compounds and emphasizing the need to provide more information about morphological, structural, and specific features that ultimately contribute to understanding their toxicity. It provides information about the current documents of international organizations (European Commission, NIOSH, OECD, Countries Normative) about worker protection, isolation, laboratory ventilation control, and debris management. Furthermore, it reports the qualitative risk assessment methods, management strategies, dose control, and focus/receptor relationship, besides the latest trends of using nanomaterials in masks and gas emissions control devices, discussing their risk of toxicity.

The Pulp Stones: Morphological Analysis in Scanning Electron Microscopy and Spectroscopic Chemical Quantification

Background and objectives: Pulp stones are hard tissue structures formed in the pulp of permanent and deciduous teeth. Few studies have evaluated their morphology and chemical composition. However, their formation, composition, configuration and role played in overall health status are still unclear. Clinically, they may be symptomatic; technically, they impede access during endodontic therapy, increasing the risk of treatment errors. Thus, this study aimed to morphologically analyze pulp stones and present their chemical quantification, identifying their main chemical elements. It also correlates the results with their possible induction mechanisms. Materials and Methods: Seven pulp nodules were collected from molar teeth needing endodontic treatment. The morphology of the stones was analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and their chemical composition was determined by X-ray dispersive energy spectroscopy (EDX). Results: These structures varied considerably in shape, size and topography. The site of the stones in the pulp cavity was the factor that most affected the morphology. The majority of the stones found in the pulp chambers presented nodular morphology, while those in the root canals presented a diffuse shape, resembling root canal anatomy. The topography of the nodules showed heterogeneous relief, revealing smooth and compact areas contrasting with the rugged and porous ones. The chemical composition varied depending on the location of the nodule in the pulp cavity and the relief of the analyzed area. Radicular stones presented considerably lower calcium and phosphorus content than coronary nodules. Conclusions: The high cellularity rate of the coronal pulp predisposes this region to nodular mineralizations around injured cells. The presence of larger caliber vascular bundles and higher collagen fiber content in radicular pulp determines a diffuse morphological pattern in this region. Understanding the morphology and chemical composition of the pulp stones allows future translational pathways towards the prevention or treatment of such conditions.

Physical attributes of salivary calcium particles and their interaction with gingival epithelium

Background

The formation of dental plaque and its involvement in the pathogenesis of periodontitis is a topic of intense interest given the high prevalence of periodontitis in humans. Even though calcium-based particles play an active role in both dental plaque formation and periodontitis, few publications describe the physical-chemical properties of these particles.

Methods

Saliva samples were collected from healthy volunteers. From these samples, saliva-derived particles were isolated and stained for calcium using calcein or Fluo-4. The salivary particles were also subjected to characterization by flow cytometry and immunoblotting. Internalization of calcein-labeled salivary particles by gingival epithelial cells was visualized by confocal microscopy.

Results

We found that calcium-based salivary particles from healthy volunteers varied greatly in size but were enriched in particles of sizes at or greater than 1.5 μm. Immunoblotting analysis of the salivary particles identified several proteins including albumin, fetuin-A, and statherin, which have been found in calcium phosphate particles from other tissues or are known to modulate calcium homeostasis in saliva. In addition, calcium particles were internalized by both gingival epithelial cells and monocyte-derived macrophages.

Conclusion

Salivary calcium particles were enriched in the micrometer range, internalized by gingival epithelial cells, and contain albumin, fetuin-A and statherin, regulators of particle formation. These characteristics of the calcium-based salivary particles and their biological activities provide a basis for further studies to understand the molecular basis for pathogenesis of periodontitis.

Ectopic calcification and formation of mineralo-organic particles in arteries of diabetic subjects

Vascular calcification occurs in various diseases including atherosclerosis, chronic kidney disease and type 2 diabetes but the mechanism underlying mineral deposition remains incompletely understood. Here we examined lower limb arteries of type 2 diabetes subjects for the presence of ectopic calcification and mineral particles using histology, electron microscopy and spectroscopy analyses. While arteries of healthy controls showed no calcification following von Kossa staining, arteries from 83% of diabetic individuals examined (19/23) revealed microscopic mineral deposits, mainly within the tunica media. Mineralo-organic particles containing calcium phosphate and proteins such as albumin, fetuin-A and apolipoprotein-A1 were detected in calcified arteries. Ectopic calcification and mineralo-organic particles were observed in a majority of diabetic patients and predominantly in arteries showing hyperplasia. While a low number of subjects was examined and information about disease severity and patient characteristics is lacking, these calcifications and mineralo-organic particles may represent signs of tissue dysfunction.

The Multi-Faced Extracellular Vesicles in the Plasma of Chronic Kidney Disease Patients

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are membrane-enclosed nanoparticles released by most cells in body fluids and extracellular matrix. They function as signal transducers in intercellular communication, contributing to the maintenance of cell and tissue integrity. EVs biogenesis is deregulated in various pathologies, in structural and functional connection to the pathophysiology of donor cells. Consequently, EVs are considered diagnostic and monitoring factors in many diseases. Despite consensus as to their activity in promoting coagulation and inflammation, there is evidence suggesting protective roles for EVs in stress states. Chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients are at high risk of developing cardiovascular defects. The pathophysiology, comorbidities, and treatment of CKD may individually and in synergy affect extracellular vesiculation in the kidney, endothelium, and blood cells. Oxidative and mechanical stresses, chronic inflammation, and deregulation of calcium and phosphate homeostasis are established stressors of EV release. EVs may affect the clinical severity of CKD by transferring biological response modifiers between renal, vascular, blood, and inflammatory cells. In this Review, we focus on EVs circulating in the plasma of CKD patients. We highlight some recent advances in the understanding of their biogenesis, the effects of dialysis, and pharmacological treatments on them and their potential impact on thrombosis and vascular defects. The strong interest of the scientific community to this exciting field of research may reveal hidden pieces in the pathophysiology of CKD and thus, innovative ways to treat it. Overcoming gaps in EV biology and technical difficulties related to their size and heterogeneity will define the success of the project.

A Brief Review about the Role of Nanomaterials, Mineral-Organic Nanoparticles, and Extra-Bone Calcification in Promoting Carcinogenesis and Tumor Progression

People come in contact with a huge number of nanoparticles (NPs) throughout their lives, which can be of both natural and anthropogenic origin and are capable of entering the body through swallowing, skin penetration, or inhalation. In connection with the expanding use of nanomaterials in various industrial processes, the question of whether there is a need to study the potentially adverse effects of NPs on human health becomes increasingly important. Despite the fact that the nature and the extent of damage caused depends on the chemical and the physical characteristics of individual NPs, there are also general mechanisms related to their toxicity. These mechanisms include the ability of NPs to translocate to various organs through endocytosis, as well as their ability to stimulate the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), leading to oxidative stress, inflammation, genotoxicity, metabolic changes, and potentially carcinogenesis. In this review, we discuss the main characteristics of NPs and the effects they cause at both cellular and tissue levels. We also focus on possible mechanisms that underlie the relationship of NPs with carcinogenesis. We briefly summarize the main concepts related to the role of endogenous mineral organic NPs in the development of various human diseases and their participation in extra-bone calcification. Considering data from both our studies and those published in scientific literature, we propose the revision of some ideas concerning extra-bone calcification, since it may be one of the factors associated with the initiation of the mechanisms of immunological tolerance.

A review on protein markers of exosome from different bio-resources and the antibodies used for characterization

Exosomes are small membrane vesicles (ranging from 30 nm to 150 nm), secreted by different cell types upon fusion of multivesicular bodies (MVB) to the cell plasma membrane under a variety of normal and pathological conditions. Through transferring their cargos such as proteins, lipids and nucleic acids from donor cells to recipient cells, exosomes play a crucial role in cell-to-cell communication. Due to their presence in most body fluids (such as blood, breast milk, saliva, urine, bile, pancreatic juice, cerebrospinal and peritoneal fluids), and their role in carrying bioactive molecules from the cells of origin, exosomes have attracted great interest in their diagnostic and prognostic value for various diseases and therapeutic approaches. Although a large body of literature has documented the importance of exosomes over the past decade, there is no article systematically summarizing protein markers of exosome from different resources and the antibodies that are suited to characterize exosomes. In this review, we briefly summarize the exosome marker proteins, exosomal biomarkers for different diseases, and the antibodies suitable for different bio-resources exosomes characterization.

Calcium Carbonate Nanoparticles Can Activate the Epithelial⁻Mesenchymal Transition in an Experimental Gastric Cancer Model

Previously, we have shown the possibility of intramucosal gastric carcinoma induction by the intragastric administration of a mixture of formaldehyde and hydrogen peroxide in rats. In this study, we report a sizable increase in carcinogenic properties of the mixture when a suspension containing calcium carbonate nanoparticles was added to it. This technique allowed us to reduce both the number of the carcinogen administrations from twelve to two and the time to the cancer induction from six to four months. Although the induced tumors were represented by the intramucosal carcinomas, they were characterized by the extensive invasion of individual tumor cells and their clusters into the muscle layer and serosa as well as into the omentum and blood vessels. Considering that the invasive tumor cells were positive for vimentin, Snail and TGF-β2, we concluded that their invasion was the result of the activation of epithelial⁻mesenchymal transition (EMT) mechanisms. Thus, taking into account the data obtained, it can be assumed that under the conditions of inflammation or carcinogenesis, the calcium carbonate nanoparticles may affect the activation of EMT mechanisms.

Comprehensive organic profiling of biological particles derived from blood

Mineral nanoparticles form in physiological and pathological processes occurring in the human body. The calcium phosphate mineral phase of the particles has affinity for proteins and lipids, but the complete profiling of the organic molecules that bind to the particles has not been described in detail. We report here a comprehensive analysis of organic components found in mineralo-organic particles derived from body fluids. Based on biological staining, fluorescent tagging, proteomics and metabolomics, our results indicate that the mineral particles bind to proteins, amino acids, carbohydrates, polysaccharides, phospholipids, fatty acids, DNA and low molecular weight metabolites. These results can be used to study the formation and effects of mineralo-organic particles in biological fluids.

Mineralo-organic nanoparticles in health and disease: an overview of recent findings

We observed earlier that mineralo-organic nanoparticles form in human body fluids when the concentrations of calcium, carbonate and phosphate exceed saturation. The particles have been shown to represent mineral precursors in developing bones and teeth as well as in ectopic calcification and kidney stones. Recent studies suggest that the mineral particles may also be involved in other physiological processes, including immune tolerance against the gut microbiota and food antigens. We review here the involvement of mineralo-organic nanoparticles in physiological and pathological processes and discuss recent findings that reveal novel and unexpected roles for these particles in the human body.

Biochemical transformation of calciprotein particles in uraemia

Calciprotein particles (CPP) have emerged as nanoscale mediators of phosphate-induced toxicity in Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD). Uraemia favors ripening of the particle mineral content from the amorphous (CPP-I) to the crystalline state (CPP-II) but the pathophysiological significance of this transformation is uncertain. Clinical studies suggest an association between CPP ripening and inflammation, vascular dysfunction and mortality. Although ripening has been modelled in vitro, it is unknown whether particles synthesised in serum resemble their in vivo counterparts. Here we show that in vitro formation and ripening of CPP in uraemic serum is characterised by extensive physiochemical rearrangements involving the accretion of mineral, loss of surface charge and transformation of the mineral phase from a spherical arrangement of diffuse domains of amorphous calcium phosphate to densely-packed lamellar aggregates of crystalline hydroxyapatite. These physiochemical changes were paralleled by enrichment with small soluble apolipoproteins, complement factors and the binding of fatty acids. In comparison, endogenous CPP represent a highly heterogeneous mixture of particles with characteristics mostly intermediate to synthetic CPP-I and CPP-II, but are also uniquely enriched for carbonate-substituted apatite, DNA fragments, small RNA and microbe-derived components. Pathway analysis of protein enrichment predicted the activation of cell death and pro-inflammatory processes by endogenous CPP and synthetic CPP-II alike. This comprehensive characterisation validates the use of CPP-II generated in uraemic serum as in vitro equivalents of their endogenous counterparts and provides insight into the nature and pathological significance of CPP in CKD, which may act as vehicles for various bioactive ligands.

Mineral particles stimulate innate immunity through neutrophil extracellular traps containing HMGB1

Calcium phosphate-based mineralo-organic particles form spontaneously in the body and may represent precursors of ectopic calcification. We have shown earlier that these particles induce activation of caspase-1 and secretion of IL-1β by macrophages. However, whether the particles may produce other effects on immune cells is unclear. Here, we show that these particles induce the release of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) in a size-dependent manner by human neutrophils. Intracellular production of reactive oxygen species is required for particle-induced NET release by neutrophils. NETs contain the high-mobility group protein B1 (HMGB1), a DNA-binding protein capable of inducing secretion of TNF-α by a monocyte/macrophage cell line and primary macrophages. HMGB1 functions as a ligand of Toll-like receptors 2 and 4 on macrophages, leading to activation of the MyD88 pathway and TNF-α production. Furthermore, HMGB1 is critical to activate the particle-induced pro-inflammatory cascade in the peritoneum of mice. These results indicate that mineral particles promote pro-inflammatory responses by engaging neutrophils and macrophages via signaling of danger signals through NETs.

Pleomorphic bacteria-like structures in human blood represent non-living membrane vesicles and protein particles

Although human blood is believed to be a sterile environment, recent studies suggest that pleomorphic bacteria exist in the blood of healthy humans. These studies have led to the development of "live-blood analysis," a technique used by alternative medicine practitioners to diagnose various human conditions, including allergies, cancer, cardiovascular disease and septicemia. We show here that bacteria-like vesicles and refringent particles form in healthy human blood observed under dark-field microscopy. These structures gradually increase in number during incubation and show morphologies reminiscent of cells undergoing division. Based on lipid analysis and Western blotting, we show that the bacteria-like entities consist of membrane vesicles containing serum and exosome proteins, including albumin, fetuin-A, apolipoprotein-A1, alkaline phosphatase, TNFR1 and CD63. In contrast, the refringent particles represent protein aggregates that contain several blood proteins. 16S rDNA PCR analysis reveals the presence of bacterial DNA in incubated blood samples but also in negative controls, indicating that the amplified sequences represent contaminants. These results suggest that the bacteria-like vesicles and refringent particles observed in human blood represent non-living membrane vesicles and protein aggregates derived from blood. The phenomena observed during live-blood analysis are therefore consistent with time-dependent decay of cells and body fluids during incubation ex vivo.

Emerging Human Fetuin A Assays for Biomedical Diagnostics

Human fetuin A (HFA) plays a prominent pathophysiological role in numerous diseases and pathophysiological conditions with considerable biomedical significance; one example is the formation of calciprotein particles in osteoporosis and impaired calcium metabolisms. With impressive advances in in vitro diagnostic assays during the last decade, ELISAs have become a workhorse in routine clinical diagnostics. Recent diagnostic formats involve high-sensitivity immunoassay procedures, surface plasmon resonance, rapid immunoassay chemistries, signal enhancement, and smartphone detection. The current trend is toward fully integrated lab-on-chip platforms with smartphone readouts, enabling health-care practitioners and even patients to monitor pathological changes in biomarker levels. This review provides a critical analysis of advances made in HFA assays along with the challenges and future prospects.

Translocation of mineralo-organic nanoparticles from blood to urine: a new mechanism for the formation of kidney stones?

Recent studies indicate that mineralo-organic nanoparticles form in various human body fluids, including blood and urine. These nanoparticles may form within renal tubules and increase in size in supersaturated urine, eventually leading to the formation of kidney stones. Here, we present observations suggesting that mineralo-organic nanoparticles found in blood may induce kidney stone formation via an alternative mechanism in which the particles translocate through endothelial and renal epithelial cells to reach urine. We propose that this alternative mechanism of kidney stone formation and the study of mineralo-organic nanoparticles in general may provide novel strategies for the early detection and treatment of ectopic calcifications and kidney stones.

Nanoanalytical Electron Microscopy Reveals a Sequential Mineralization Process Involving Carbonate-Containing Amorphous Precursors

A direct observation and an in-depth characterization of the steps by which bone mineral nucleates and grows in the extracellular matrix during the earliest stages of maturation, using relevant biomineralization models as they grow into mature bone mineral, is an important research goal. To better understand the process of bone mineralization in the extracellular matrix, we used nanoanalytical electron microscopy techniques to examine an in vitro model of bone formation. This study demonstrates the presence of three dominant CaP structures in the mineralizing osteoblast cultures: <80 nm dense granules with a low calcium to phosphate ratio (Ca/P) and crystalline domains; calcium phosphate needles emanating from a focus: "needle-like globules" (100-300 nm in diameter) and mature mineral, both with statistically higher Ca/P compared to that of the dense granules. Many of the submicron granules and globules were interspersed around fibrillar structures containing nitrogen, which are most likely the signature of the organic phase. With high spatial resolution electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS) mapping, spatially resolved maps were acquired showing the distribution of carbonate within each mineral structure. The carbonate was located in the middle of the granules, which suggested the nucleation of the younger mineral starts with a carbonate-containing precursor and that this precursor may act as seed for growth into larger, submicron-sized, needle-like globules of hydroxyapatite with a different stoichiometry. Application of analytical electron microscopy has important implications in deciphering both how normal bone forms and in understanding pathological mineralization.

Formation and characteristics of biomimetic mineralo-organic particles in natural surface water

Recent studies have shown that nanoparticles exist in environmental water but the formation, characteristics and fate of such particles remain incompletely understood. We show here that surface water obtained from various sources (ocean, hot springs, and soil) produces mineralo-organic particles that gradually increase in size and number during incubation. Seawater produces mineralo-organic particles following several cycles of filtration and incubation, indicating that this water possesses high particle-seeding potential. Electron microscopy observations reveal round, bacteria-like mineral particles with diameters of 20 to 800 nm, which may coalesce and aggregate to form mineralized biofilm-like structures. Chemical analysis of the particles shows the presence of a wide range of chemical elements that form mixed mineral phases dominated by calcium and iron sulfates, silicon and aluminum oxides, sodium carbonate, and iron sulfide. Proteomic analysis indicates that the particles bind to proteins of bacterial, plant and animal origins. When observed under dark-field microscopy, mineral particles derived from soil-water show biomimetic morphologies, including large, round structures similar to cells undergoing division. These findings have important implications not only for the recognition of biosignatures and fossils of small microorganisms in the environment but also for the geochemical cycling of elements, ions and organic matter in surface water.

Fatty acids and small organic compounds bind to mineralo-organic nanoparticles derived from human body fluids as revealed by metabolomic analysis

Nanoparticles entering the human body instantly become coated with a "protein corona" that influences the effects and distribution of the particles in vivo. Yet, whether nanoparticles may bind to other organic compounds remains unclear. Here we use an untargeted metabolomic approach based on ultra-performance liquid chromatography and quadruple time-of-flight mass spectrometry to identify the organic compounds that bind to mineral nanoparticles formed in human body fluids (serum, plasma, saliva, and urine). A wide range of organic compounds is identified, including fatty acids, glycerophospholipids, amino acids, sugars, and amides. Our results reveal that, in addition to the proteins identified previously, nanoparticles harbor an "organic corona" containing several fatty acids which may affect particle-cell interactions in vivo. This study provides a platform to study the organic corona of biological and synthetic nanoparticles found in the human body.

Detection and characterization of mineralo-organic nanoparticles in human kidneys

Ectopic calcification is associated with various human diseases, including atherosclerosis, cancer, chronic kidney disease, and diabetes mellitus. Although mineral nanoparticles have been detected in calcified blood vessels, the nature and role of these particles in the human body remain unclear. Here we show for the first time that human kidney tissues obtained from end-stage chronic kidney disease or renal cancer patients contain round, multilamellar mineral particles of 50 to 1,500 nm, whereas no particles are observed in healthy controls. The mineral particles are found mainly in the extracellular matrix surrounding the convoluted tubules, collecting ducts and loops of Henle as well as within the cytoplasm of tubule-delineating cells, and consist of polycrystalline calcium phosphate similar to the mineral found in bones and ectopic calcifications. The kidney mineral nanoparticles contain several serum proteins that inhibit ectopic calcification in body fluids, including albumin, fetuin-A, and apolipoprotein A1. Since the mineralo-organic nanoparticles are found not only within calcified deposits but also in areas devoid of microscopic calcifications, our observations indicate that the nanoparticles may represent precursors of calcification and renal stones in humans.

Nanoparticle conversion to biofilms: in vitro demonstration using serum-derived mineralo-organic nanoparticles

AIMS

Mineralo-organic nanoparticles (NPs) detected in biological fluids have been described as precursors of physiological and pathological calcifications in the body. Our main objective was to examine the early stages of mineral NP formation in body fluids.

MATERIALS & METHODS

A nanomaterial approach based on atomic force microscopy, dynamic light scattering, electron microscopy and spectroscopy was used.

RESULTS

The mineral particles, which contain the serum proteins albumin and fetuin-A, initially precipitate in the form of round amorphous NPs that gradually grow in size, aggregate and coalesce to form crystalline mineral films similar to the structures observed in calcified human arteries.

CONCLUSION

Our study reveals the early stages of particle formation and provides a platform to analyze the role(s) of mineralo-organic NPs in human tissues.

Surface plasmon resonance-based immunoassay for human fetuin A

This article describes a highly-sensitive surface plasmon resonance (SPR)-based immunoassay (IA) for human fetuin A (HFA), a specific biomarker for atherosclerosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. The assay is based on a novel immobilization procedure that simply involves the dilution of an anti-HFA capture antibody (Ab) in 1% (v/v) 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES), followed by its dispensing on a KOH-treated gold (Au)-coated SPR chip and incubation for 30 min. The developed SPR IA detected 0.3-20 ng mL(-1) of HFA with a limit of detection and sensitivity of 0.7 ng mL(-1) and 1 ng mL(-1), respectively. The highly-simplified Ab immobilization procedure is also 5-fold more rapid than conventional procedures. It leads to the leach-proof binding of the capture Ab, which means that the developed SPR IA is highly cost-effective, as the Ab-bound SPR chip could be reused for many repeated HFA IAs after regeneration with 10 mM glycine-HCl, pH 2.0. The Ab-bound SPR chip, stored at 4 °C, lost only 18% of its original activity after 4 months. For the detection of HFA spiked in diluted human whole blood and plasma, the results obtained by the developed SPR IA agreed well with the commercial HFA sandwich ELISA.

A story told by a single nanoparticle in the body fluid: demonstration of dissolution-reprecipitation of nanocrystals in a biological system

AIM

Analysis of the chemical composition of mineral particles found in the body is critical to understand the formation and effects of these entities in vivo. Yet, the possibility that biological fluids may modulate particle composition over time has not been examined. Materials & methods: Mineralo-organic nanoparticles similar to the ones that spontaneously form in human tissues were analyzed using electron microscopy, spectroscopy and proteomic analyses. 

RESULTS

 We show that the mineralo-organic nanoparticles assimilate various ions and minerals during incubation in ionic solutions simulating body fluids. The particles undergo dissolution-reprecipitation reactions that affect the final protein composition of the particles.

CONCLUSION

The reactions occurring at the mineral-water interface therefore modulate the ionic and organic composition of mineral nanoparticles formed in biological fluids, producing changes that may alter the effects of mineral particles and stones in vivo.

Differential detergent sensitivity of extracellular vesicle subpopulations

This work shows for the first time that exosomes are more resistant to detergents than microvesicles and apoptotic bodies.

Of nanobacteria, nanoparticles, biofilms and their role in health and disease: facts, fancy and future

Nanobacteria have been at the center of a major scientific controversy in recent years owing to claims that they represent not only the smallest living microorganisms on earth but also new emerging pathogens associated with several human diseases. We and others have carefully examined these claims and concluded that nanobacteria are in fact nonliving mineralo-organic nanoparticles (NPs) that form spontaneously in body fluids. We have shown that these mineral particles possess intriguing biomimetic properties that include the formation of cell- and tissue-like morphologies and the possibility to grow, proliferate and propagate by subculture. Similar mineral NPs (bions) have now been found in both physiological and pathological calcification processes and they appear to represent precursors of physiological calcification cycles, which may at times go awry in disease conditions. Furthermore, by functioning at the nanoscale, these mineralo-organic NPs or bions may shed light on the fate of nanomaterials in the body, from both nanotoxicological and nanopathological perspectives.