Faculty Collaboration Database

Raman microspectroscopy of intracellular cholesterol crystals in cultured bovine coronary artery endothelial cells. J Lipid Res 1997 Aug;38(8):1591-7

Date

08/01/1997

Pubmed ID

9300781

Scopus ID

2-s2.0-0030869503 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site)   33 Citations

Abstract

Raman microspectroscopy is presented as a promising technique for the in situ characterization of intracellular cholesterol crystals. Crystal characterization is the first step in investigating the effects of various stimuli on their formation and in determining their role in the development of atherosclerosis. Treatment of cultured bovine coronary artery endothelial cells with 22-hydroxycholesterol (220HC) stimulated the production of intracellular crystals, a phenomenon that did not occur in the absence of viable cells. These crystals were identified as a combination of the 220HC starting material and cholesterol. The best fit to the average Raman spectrum of the microscopic crystals was achieved with a combination of 70% Raman contribution from 220HC and 30% from cholesterol. GC/MS analysis of the crystals confirmed the presence of both compounds. These results demonstrate the potential of Raman microspectroscopy as a powerful tool in lipid research, particularly for the in situ characterization of intracellular crystals.

Author List

Hawi SR, Nithipatikom K, Wohlfeil ER, Adar F, Campbell WB

Author

William B. Campbell PhD Professor in the Pharmacology and Toxicology department at Medical College of Wisconsin

MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold

Animals
Arteriosclerosis
Cattle
Cells, Cultured
Cholesterol
Crystallization
Endothelium, Vascular
Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry
Hydroxycholesterols
Intracellular Fluid
Spectrum Analysis, Raman