Degradation of cholesterol crystals in macrophages: the role of phospholipids

Eugen Koren M.D.; Mirna Koscec; Robert D. Fugate

doi:10.1117/12.44143

1 May 1991 Degradation of cholesterol crystals in macrophages: the role of phospholipids

Eugen Koren M.D., Mirna Koscec, Robert D. Fugate

Proceedings Volume 1428, Three-Dimensional Bioimaging Systems and Lasers in the Neurosciences; (1991) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.44143
Event: Optics, Electro-Optics, and Laser Applications in Science and Engineering, 1991, Los Angeles, CA, United States

Abstract

Previous studies from this laboratory demonstrated degradation of cholesterol crystals ingested by macrophages in a cell culture system. Those studies also indicated that intracellular phospholipids could play an important role in mobilization of crystalline cholesterol. The purpose of this study was to further explore the role of each of the three major intracellular phospholipid species in degradation of crystals. Fluorescently labeled cholesterol crystals were incubated with phospholipids over a period of 5 days. Morphological changes in crystals were monitored by the use of digital imaging fluorescence microscopy, fluorescence redistribution after photobleaching, confocal microscopy, as well as epifluorescent and phase contrast microscopy. Results clearly demonstrated that all three phospholipids were able to mobilize crystalline cholesterol; however, mechanisms by which they exerted mobilization were different. Sphingomyelin and phosphatidylcholine were found to cause gradual and uniform dissolution of crystals, more or less preserving their original shape. Phosphatidylethanolamine appeared to penetrate into the crystal, causing its fragmentation and solubilization. In the mixture of all three phospholipids representing the composition found in macrophages, both of the described mechanisms were working simultaneously.

Citation Download Citation

Eugen Koren M.D., Mirna Koscec, and Robert D. Fugate "Degradation of cholesterol crystals in macrophages: the role of phospholipids", Proc. SPIE 1428, Three-Dimensional Bioimaging Systems and Lasers in the Neurosciences, (1 May 1991); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.44143

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KEYWORDS

Crystals

Luminescence

Confocal microscopy

Crystallography

Phase contrast

Laser systems engineering

Laser crystals

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