Two polymorphic cholesterol monohydrate crystal structures form in macrophage culture models of atherosclerosis.

ABSTRACT: The formation of atherosclerotic plaques in the blood vessel walls is the result of LDL particle uptake, and consequently of cholesterol accumulation in macrophage cells. Excess cholesterol accumulation eventually results in cholesterol crystal deposition, the hallmark of mature atheromas. We followed the formation of cholesterol crystals in J774A.1 macrophage cells with time, during accumulation of LDL particles, using a previously developed correlative cryosoft X-ray tomography (cryo-SXT) and stochastic optical reconstruction microscopy (STORM) technique. We show, in the initial accumulation stages, formation of small quadrilateral crystal plates associated with the cell plasma membrane, which may subsequently assemble into large aggregates. These plates match crystals of the commonly ob

SUBMITTER: Varsano N 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6065044 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature