The characterization of human oral mucosal fibroblasts and their use as feeder cells in cultivated epithelial sheets

Aim To characterize human oral mucosa middle interstitial tissue fibroblasts (hOMFs) and their application in the cultivation of epithelial sheets. Methodology hOMFs were cultured with methylcellulose to form cell clusters. hOMFs amplified in adhesive culture were analyzed by flow cytometry, and were found to differentiate into multiple cell types suitable for the cultivation of human corneal epithelial sheets. hOMFs were expanded from clusters to analyze CD56 and PDGFRα expression. Results These cells showed similar differentiation patterns as keratocytes, and similar expression patterns as mesenchymal and neural cells. Furthermore, we established human corneal epithelial sheets using hOMFs. Conclusion hOMFs may be of neural crest origin and possess multipotent differentiation capacity, and are suitable for use as an autologous cell source for corneal regeneration.