- Skin fibroblasts are the principal connective tissue cells of the dermis, the supportive middle layer of the skin located beneath the outer epidermis. These cells are essential for maintaining the structural integrity of the skin through their production and remodeling of the extracellular matrix (ECM). The ECM is composed of key proteins such as collagen, elastin, fibronectin, and glycosaminoglycans, all of which provide tensile strength, elasticity, and hydration to the skin. By constantly synthesizing and organizing these components, fibroblasts help preserve the skin’s mechanical properties and resilience under normal physiological conditions.
- Functionally, fibroblasts play a central role in wound healing and tissue repair. Upon skin injury, fibroblasts are activated and migrate into the wound bed, where they proliferate and secrete large amounts of ECM proteins to form new tissue. During this process, a subset of fibroblasts can differentiate into contractile cells called myofibroblasts, which aid in wound closure by contracting the wound edges. Fibroblasts also interact with immune cells and keratinocytes through cytokine signaling, further coordinating the repair response.
- In cell culture, skin fibroblasts are widely used due to their ease of isolation and ability to proliferate under standard in vitro conditions. They typically display a spindle-shaped, elongated morphology and grow as an adherent monolayer. Culturing is commonly done using Dulbecco’s Modified Eagle Medium (DMEM) supplemented with fetal bovine serum (FBS) and antibiotics. Human skin fibroblasts can be derived from various sources, including neonatal foreskin, adult skin biopsies, or commercially available cell lines. They are often employed in research on skin aging, fibrosis, wound healing, and as models to study dermal responses to drugs, cosmetic compounds, and environmental stressors.
- Fibroblasts also serve as an important model for studying cellular senescence, a state of irreversible growth arrest that occurs after repeated cell division or exposure to stress. Senescent fibroblasts show altered morphology, reduced proliferation, and a characteristic secretory profile known as the senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP). This phenotype includes inflammatory cytokines and matrix-degrading enzymes that contribute to tissue aging and chronic inflammation, making fibroblasts valuable in the study of age-related skin changes and diseases.
