Dermal fibroblast
Dermal fibroblasts are
Cell progenitors and analogs
Dermal fibroblasts are derived from mesenchymal stem cells within the body.[3] Like corneal fibroblasts, dermal fibroblast proliferation can be stimulated by the presence of fibroblast growth factor (FGF).[3] Fibroblasts do not appear to be fully differentiated or specialized. After examining the CD markers of the fibroblast cells, researchers at BioMed Central discovered that these cell lack "distinctive markers" confirming that these cells can be further differentiated.[3]
One example of further differentiation of dermal fibroblasts is that upon injury, dermal fibroblasts can give rise to
Cell function and characteristics
Unlike other fibroblast cell types, dermal fibroblasts are far less likely to change into other cell types.[4] For example, when a dermal fibroblast and a corneal fibroblasts are placed in the same concentrations of fibroblast growth factor, dermal fibroblast will not differentiate or change. As noted by Dr. J. Lewis and Dr. A. Johnson authors of Microbiology of the Cell, "fibroblasts from the skin are different" and behave differently from other fibroblast cells to identical chemical stimuli.[4]
Furthermore, dermal fibroblasts are less likely to replicate in either in vivo and in vitro environments than are other fibroblast types. Dermal fibroblasts require far higher concentrations of fibroblast growth factor (FGF) in order to undergo cell replication.[4]
Dermal fibroblasts are responsible for creating the ECM which organizes the stratified
Clinical Applications
Since dermal fibroblasts play a critical role in wound healing, researchers are attempting to generate mature dermal fibroblasts to repair second and third degree burns.
Similarly, FGF is being inserted into fibrin sealants to enhance the long term repair and sealing of tissue.[6] FGF-1 has been experimentally shown to encourage the body’s own adhesive tissue to develop and effectively seal the wound (thereby stymieing infection and mitigating scar formation).[6] Using FGF stimulate fibroblast activity is a more effective means of sealing tissue than current tissue sealants due to the robust nature of collagen which makes up connective tissue. A study conducted by researchers at the University of Alabama examined the adhesive properties of fibrin tissue adhesives. The tests found that fibrin adhesives even at its intended medical concentration (29 mg/mL at the wound site) had shear strength of only 17.6 kiloPascals.[8] Furthermore, another study performed at the University of California determined that the modulus (the stress/strain) of fibrin adhesives was on average 53.56 kPA.[9] To seal together tissues the human body uses collagen and elastin to obtain superior shear strength. Type I collagen which includes collagen strands bundled into strong fibrils has a unique tri-helical structure which increases the proteins structural integrity. In fact, a study performed by the Department of Medicine in University College London experimentally determined that pure type I collagen has a modulus of 5 GPa to 11.5 GPa.[10] Therefore, pure type I collagen has nearly one million times greater structural integrity than fibrin. Collagen is therefore much harder to deform than fibrin, and collagen fibers create much stronger bonds between tissues than strands of fibrin polymer.
Stem Cells
By generating adhesive proteins like fibronectin, fibroblasts are used within research laboratories to help to culture cells which typically demonstrate low survival rates in vitro. For example, fibroblasts have been utilized to increase the survival rate for human stem cells which easily undergo cell apoptosis. As noted by researchers at the Harvard Stem Cell Institute, dermal cell "human keratinocyte [stem cells] could be propagated in vitro when culture on fibroblast feeder cells."[7]
In addition to improving the culture and proliferation of stem cells, dermal fibroblasts can also become stem cells. Although dermal cells demonstrate less plasticity than other fibroblast cell types, researchers can still turn these cells into induced pluripotent cells (IPCs).[7]
As noted by researchers within the Harvard Stem Cell Institute, researchers obtained fibroblasts from a mouse with
See also
- Fibroblasts
- Corneal keratocyte
- Stem Cells
- Induced pluripotent stem cell
- Cluster of differentiation
- extracellular matrix
- dermis
- hypodermis
References
- ^ "Wound and Healing". Skin Science. L'Oreal. Archived from the original on 2012-04-25. Retrieved 2011-10-02.
- ^ Darling, David (10 September 2011). "Hypodermis". Encyclopedia of Science.
- ^ PMID 21338517.
- ^ a b c d e Alberts, B.; A. Johnson; J. Lewis (2002). "Fibroblasts and Their Transformations: The Connective-Tissue Cell Family". Microbiology of the Cell (4th ed.). New York: Garland Science.
- PMID 17525249.
- ^ S2CID 24954846.
- ^ PMID 20614607.
- PMID 10147711.
- PMID 19324142.
- PMID 17526569.
External links
- Alberts, Bruce; Johnson, Alexander; Lewis, Julian, eds. (2002). "Fibroblasts and Their Transformations: The Connective-Tissue Cell Family". Molecular Biology of the Cell (4th ed.). New York: Garland Science. ISBN 978-0-8153-3218-3.
- Akita, Sadanori; Akino, Kozo; Imaizumi, Toshifumi; Hirano, Akiyoshi (2008). "Basic fibroblast growth factor accelerates and improves second-degree burn wound healing". Wound Repair and Regeneration. 16 (5): 635–41. S2CID 24954846.
- Phan, S. H. (2008). "Biology of Fibroblasts and Myofibroblasts". Proceedings of the American Thoracic Society. 5 (3): 334–7. PMID 18403329.
- Lapouge, Gaelle; Blanpain, Cédric (September 18, 2008). Silberstein, Leslie (ed.). "Medical applications of epidermal stem cells". Stembook. PMID 20614607.