Polyphosphate Nanoparticles: Balancing Energy Requirements in Tissue Regeneration Processes

Polyphosphate (polyP) is a physiological polymer composed of orthophosphate units linked by energy-rich bonds. Glucose and polyP serve as energy (ATP) generators. The polyP nanoparticles are converted to a coacervate, followed by enzymatic hydrolysis and free energy conversion to ADP and ATP. This review summarizes the currently available knowledge on the route of polyP nanoparticles during the regeneration of injured human tissue. AbstractNanoparticles of a particular, evolutionarily old inorganic polymer found across the biological kingdoms have attracted increasing interest in recent years not only because of their crucial role in metabolism but also their potential medical applicability: it is inorganic polyphosphate (polyP). This ubiquitous linear polymer is composed of 10 –1000 phosphate residues linked by high-energy anhydride bonds. PolyP causes induction of gene activity, provides phosphate for bone mineralization, and serves as an energy supplier through enzymatic cleavage of its acid anhydride bonds and subsequent ATP formation. The biomedical breakthrough of polyP came with the development of a successful fabrication process, in depot form, as Ca- or Mg-polyP nanoparticles, or as the directly effective polymer, as soluble Na-polyP, for regenerative repair and healing processes, especially in tissue areas with insufficient blood supply. Physiologically, the platelets are the main vehicles for polyP nanoparticles in the circulating blood. To be biomedically active...
Source: Small - Category: Nanotechnology Authors: Tags: Review Source Type: research