Live Imaging of Calciprotein Particle Clearance and Receptor Mediated Uptake: Role of Calciprotein Monomers.

Background: The liver-derived plasma protein fetuin A is a systemic inhibitor of ectopic calcification. Fetuin-A stabilizes calcium phosphate mineral initially as ion clusters to form calciprotein monomers (CPM), and then as larger multimeric consolidations containing amorphous calcium phosphate (primary CPP, CPP 1) or more crystalline phases (secondary CPP, CPP 2). CPM and CPP mediate excess mineral stabilization, transport and clearance from circulation.