Early steps of bone mineralization in differentiating osteosarcoma SaOS2 cells investigated by XANES at the Ca-K edges

The main aim of this proposal is to study how the osteblasic differentiation stimuli affect the maturation process of mineral depositions released by osteosarcoma SaOS2 cells at 4 and 10 days after the osteoblastic induction. To this purpose we will use µXANES at the Ca K-edges to obtain the chemical speciation of mineral depositions since Ca is one the constitutive and pivotal element of hexagonal hydroxyapatite crystal present in bone. This study will contribute to unveil the genesis of bone mineralization process in osteosarcoma which is still far from to be elucidated. Moreover, this research is a part of a larger project aimed to validate a new anticancer strategy, based on the differentiation of osteosarcoma cells towards a less aggressive phenotype. The application of this strategy will be fundamental to improve the chance to translate the new knowledge in osteosarcoma clinical practice and treatment.