Fatty acid composition in matrix vesicles and in microvilli from femurs of chicken embryos revealed selective recruitment of fatty acids

Hypertrophic chondrocytes participate in matrix mineralization by releasing matrix vesicles (MVs). These MVs, by accumulating Ca²⁺ and phosphate initiate the formation of hydroxyapatite. To determine the types of lipids essential for mineralization, we analyzed fatty acids (FAs) in MVs, microvilli and in membrane fractions of chondrocytes isolated from femurs of chicken embryos. The FA composition in the MVs was almost identical to that in microvilli, indicating that the MVs originated from microvilli. These fractions contained more monounsaturated FAs especially oleic acid than in membrane homogenates of chondrocytes. They were enriched in 5,8,11-eicosatrienoic acid (20:3n−9), in eicosadienoic acid (20:2n−6), and in arachidonic acid (20:4n−6). In contrast, membrane homogenates from chondrocytes were enriched in 20:1n−9, 18:3n−3, 22:5n−3 and 22:5n−6. Due to their relatively high content in MVs and to their selective recruitment within microvilli from where MV originate, we concluded that 20:2n−6 and 20:3n−9 (pooled values), 18:1n−9 and 20:4n−6 are essential for the biogenesis of MVs and for bone mineralization.