Establishment of a Primary Cell Culture of Human Fibroblast in Iran

Background: Human fibroblasts are the part of the dermis that secrete extracellular matrix for the purpose of tissue repair. Culturing fibroblasts, which leads to formation of a monolayer of these cells, is used for treating various conditions including thermal burns and other skin defects such as diabetic and varicose vein leg ulcers. Therefore, we aimed at developing a fibroblast bank to accomplish multiple goals including skin repair in defects such as burns and ulcers and also performing various research projects on these cells in order to further study of the mechanisms involved in wound healing, rejuvenation and medication effects. Method: We initially developed primary cultures of skin fibroblasts in a DMEM medium. These primary cultures were formed by washing and trypsinizing foreskin specimens followed by separation of epidermis from dermis and cutting the dermis into small pieces. In about 10 days, a monolayer of fibroblasts was formed. Result: We were able to develop the fibroblast bank successfully and to initiate other projects utilizing this bank. Conclusions: With these cultured cells, we would be able to perform different research projects including studying the mechanisms of wound healing, rejuvenation, drug affects, inflammatory mediators, growth factors, etc. Moreover, further progress in this field will result in our independence from requesting these cells from external sources.