Twisted cholesterol crystals by Mueller matrix microscopy†

Cholesterol crystals (CCs) are major contributors to atherosclerosis and gallstone development. Understanding the emergence, polymorphic variations, morphological intricacies, and molecular interactions of CCs are pivotal for unraveling associated maladies. We succeeded in growing CCs as spherulites in three polymorphs; two are banded spherulites composed of righthanded-twisted CCs. Moreover, all the CC spherulites can be stained by lipophilic dyes, such as Nile red and coumarin. The microstructures of twisted CCs in stained spherulites are explored in detail using the Mueller matrix microscope. Insights gleaned from the polymorphic diversity and microstructural characteristics of CCs offer valuable cues for elucidating their pathological cascades.