Figure 8. Fetuin-A inhibits CaP dissolution.

CaP particles (12.5 µg/mL) ± fetuin-A (1 µM) were exposed to Ca²⁺-free physiological buffer, either pH 7.3 or pH 6.0 for 10 minutes at room temperature. A. CaP particles were pelleted by centrifugation, resuspended in 0.1M HCl and Ca²⁺ was measured using the cresolphthalein method. CaP particles did not dissolve at pH 7.3, but partial dissolution was observed at pH 6.0. Dissolution at pH 6.0 was inhibited in the presence of fetuin-A (n = 3, mean ± S.D.). B. TEM analysis of CaP particles exposed to physiological buffer at pH 7.3 (i) or in the presence of fetuin-A (ii). C. TEM analysis of CaP particles exposed to physiological buffer at pH 6.0 (i) or in the presence of fetuin-A (ii). Bar = 20nm.