Name: isolation, culture, and characterization of primary dermal fibroblasts from human keloid tissue
Uploaded: 2023-07-28T14:10:00
Description: Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Isolation, Culture, and Characterization of Primary Dermal Fibroblasts from Human Keloid Tissue at JoVE.com

This work was supported by grants from the National Natural Science Foundation of China (grant numbers 81903189 and 82073418) and the Science and Technology Foundation of Guangzhou (grant number 202102020025).

This study was approved by the institutional review board of the Dermatology Hospital, Southern Medical University (2020081). Informed patient consent was obtained before tissues were collectedfrom the individuals.
1. Preparation
NOTE: The following procedures should be performed in a sterile environment under a biological safety cabinet.
<ol>
	<li>Prepare complete culture medium by adding 10% fetal bovine serum (FBS) and 1% penicillin-streptomyci...

<ol>
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Y., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Nintedanib+inhibits+keloid+fibroblast+functions+by+blocking+the+phosphorylation+of+multiple+kinases+and+enhancing+receptor+internalization.">Nintedanib inhibits keloid fibroblast functions by blocking the phosphorylation of multiple kinases and enhancing receptor internalization.</a> Acta Pharmacologica Sinica. 41 (9), 1234-1245 (2020).</li><li>Wang, X. M., Liu, X. M., Wang, Y., Chen, Z. Y. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Activating+transcription+factor+3+(ATF3)+regulates+cell+growth,+apoptosis,+invasion+and+collagen+synthesis+in+keloid+fibroblast+through+transforming+growth+factor+beta+(TGF-beta)/SMAD+signaling+pathway.">Activating transcription factor 3 (ATF3) regulates cell growth, apoptosis, invasion and collagen synthesis in keloid fibroblast through transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta)/SMAD signaling pathway.</a> Bioengineered. 12 (1), 117-126 (2021).</li><li>Sato, C., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Conditioned+medium+obtained+from+amnion-derived+mesenchymal+stem+cell+culture+prevents+activation+of+keloid+fibroblasts.">Conditioned medium obtained from amnion-derived mesenchymal stem cell culture prevents activation of keloid fibroblasts.</a> Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. 141 (2), 390-398 (2018).</li><li>Li, J., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Long-term+explant+culture:+An+improved+method+for+consistently+harvesting+homogeneous+populations+of+keloid+fibroblasts.">Long-term explant culture: An improved method for consistently harvesting homogeneous populations of keloid fibroblasts.</a> Bioengineered. 13 (1), 1565-1574 (2022).</li><li>Wang, Q., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Altered+glucose+metabolism+and+cell+function+in+keloid+fibroblasts+under+hypoxia.">Altered glucose metabolism and cell function in keloid fibroblasts under hypoxia.</a> Redox Biology. 38, 101815 (2021).</li><li>Fan, C., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Single-cell+transcriptome+integration+analysis+reveals+the+correlation+between+mesenchymal+stromal+cells+and+fibroblasts.">Single-cell transcriptome integration analysis reveals the correlation between mesenchymal stromal cells and fibroblasts.</a> Frontiers in Genetics. 13, 798331 (2022).</li><li>Yao, L., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Temporal+control+of+PDGFR&#945;+regulates+the+fibroblast-to-myofibroblast+transition+in+wound+healing.">Temporal control of PDGFR&#945; regulates the fibroblast-to-myofibroblast transition in wound healing.</a> Cell Reports. 40 (7), 111192 (2022).</li><li>Domdey, M., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Consecutive+dosing+of+UVB+irradiation+induces+loss+of+ABCB5+expression+and+activation+of+EMT+and+fibrosis+proteins+in+limbal+epithelial+cells+similar+to+pterygium+epithelium.">Consecutive dosing of UVB irradiation induces loss of ABCB5 expression and activation of EMT and fibrosis proteins in limbal epithelial cells similar to pterygium epithelium.</a> Stem Cell Research. 40, 102936 (2022).</li><li>Lin, Z., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Renal+tubular+epithelial+cell+necroptosis+promotes+tubulointerstitial+fibrosis+in+patients+with+chronic+kidney+disease.">Renal tubular epithelial cell necroptosis promotes tubulointerstitial fibrosis in patients with chronic kidney disease.</a> FASEB Journal. 36 (12), e22625 (2022).</li><li>Korosec, A., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Lineage+identity+and+location+within+the+dermis+determine+the+function+of+papillary+and+reticular+fibroblasts+in+human+skin.">Lineage identity and location within the dermis determine the function of papillary and reticular fibroblasts in human skin.</a> Journal of Investigative Dermatology. 139 (2), 342-351 (2019).</li></ol>

Obtaining primary fibroblasts from keloid tissues is a critical basis for further research. Up until now, there have been two methods for acquiring primary fibroblasts: enzyme digestion and explant culture11,12,13,14. However, both traditional methods have limitations, such as susceptibility to contamination, mixing with other types of cells, a long culture period, and a low rate of success<sup...

Keloid, a fibroproliferative disease, manifests as the continuous growth of plaques that often invade the surrounding normal skin without self-limitation and cause various degrees of itching, pain, and cosmetic and psychological burdens for patients1. Fibroblasts, the primary cells involved in keloids, play an essential role in the formation and development of this disease through excessive proliferation, redundant extracellular matrix production, and disorganized collagens2,3. However, the underlying pathogenesis remains unclear, and an effective therapeutic method for keloid is still lacking; therefore, there is an urgent need for further research4,5.
As there is no ideal animal model for keloid research in vivo6,7,building an in vitro model by acquiring primary fibroblasts from keloid tissues can offer feasibility and reliability for keloid research2,6. Primary cells are those derived directly from living tissue, and it is generally recognized that these cells can more closely resemble the physiological state and genetic background of multiple individuals compared with cell lines8,9. Culturing primary cells provides a powerful means to study the growth and metabolism of cells, as well as other cell phenotypes.
At present, there are two methods for acquiring primary fibroblasts: enzyme digestion and explant culture. However, several obstacles have been identified to obtaining primary fibroblasts, such as the risk of contamination by various bacteria or fungi, mixing with other types of cells that are not easily removed, the long period of the culture cycle, the subsequent changes to the cell characteristics compared to the original cells, and so on9. Therefore, developing a feasible and effective process for obtaining primary fibroblasts is the foundation for further studies and applications.This study describes an optimized protocol for extracting primary fibroblasts from keloid tissues that can effectively and steadily provide pure and viable fibroblasts.

<table border="1" fo:keep-together.within-page="1" fo:keep-with-next.within-page="always">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td>1.5 mL sterile centrifuge tube</td>
			<td>JETBIOFIL</td>
			<td>CFT002015</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>15 mL sterile centrifuge tube</td>
			<td>JETBIOFIL</td>
			<td>8076</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>4% polyformaldehyde</td>
			<td>Beyotime Biotechnology</td>
			<td>P0099</td>
			<td>Cell fixation</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>50 mL sterile centrifuge tube</td>
			<td>JETBIOFIL</td>
			<td>8081</td>
			<td>Put keloid tissue</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Alexa Fluor-555 goat anti-rabbit IgG&#160;</td>
			<td>Abcam</td>
			<td>Alexa&#160;Fluor&#160;555&#160;</td>
			<td>second antibody for immunofluorescence staining assay</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Anti human CD90</td>
			<td>BioLegend</td>
			<td>B301002</td>
			<td>Identify the purity of fibroblasts</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Antibody diluent</td>
			<td>Beyotime Biotechnology</td>
			<td>P0262</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Biological safety cabinet&#160;</td>
			<td>Thermo Scientific</td>
			<td>1300 series A2</td>
			<td>Isolation and culture cells</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Bovine serum albumin</td>
			<td>aladdin</td>
			<td>B265993</td>
			<td>Blocking for immunofluorescence staining assay</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Carbon dioxide incubator</td>
			<td>ESCO</td>
			<td>CCL-170B-8</td>
			<td>Using for culturing cells</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Cell cryotubes</td>
			<td>Corning</td>
			<td>43513</td>
			<td>Store the cells in low temperature</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>centrifugal machine</td>
			<td>Thermo Fisher</td>
			<td>ST 16R</td>
			<td>Discard supernatant&#160;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>DAPI</td>
			<td>Beyotime Biotechnology</td>
			<td>C1006</td>
			<td>Stain the cellular nucleus</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>DMSO</td>
			<td>MP Biomedicals</td>
			<td>196055</td>
			<td>Using for preserving cells</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Dulbecco&#39;s modified eagle medium</td>
			<td>Gibco</td>
			<td>C11995500BT</td>
			<td>Culture medium solution</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Fetal bovine serum</td>
			<td>BI</td>
			<td>04-001-1A</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Flow cytometer</td>
			<td>BD</td>
			<td>BD FACSCelesta</td>
			<td>Observing the identity of cells</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>frozen box</td>
			<td>Thermo Scientific</td>
			<td>&#160;5100-0050</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Inverted microscope</td>
			<td>Nikon</td>
			<td>ECLIPSE Ts2</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Laser confocal microscope</td>
			<td>Nikon</td>
			<td>AIR-HD25</td>
			<td>Observing the immunofluorescence staining assay</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>PDGFR-&#945; antibody</td>
			<td>CST</td>
			<td>3174T</td>
			<td>First antibody for immunofluorescence staining assay</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Penicillin-streptomycin-Am solution</td>
			<td>Solarbio</td>
			<td>P1410</td>
			<td>Add in culture medium solution to avoid contamination</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>petri dish</td>
			<td>JETBIOFIL</td>
			<td>7556</td>
			<td>Culture fibroblasts</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Phosphate buffered saline solution</td>
			<td>Gibco</td>
			<td>C10010500BT</td>
			<td>Culture medium solution</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Rabbit (DAIE) mAB IgG XR (R) Isotuge Control (PE)</td>
			<td>Cell Signaling Technology</td>
			<td>5742S</td>
			<td>As a control for flow cytometry</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Round coverslip</td>
			<td>Biosharp</td>
			<td>801007</td>
			<td>Cell culture</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Triton X 100</td>
			<td>Solarbio</td>
			<td>T8200</td>
			<td>Punch holes in the cell membrane</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Trypsin-EDTA</td>
			<td>Gibco</td>
			<td>25200072</td>
			<td>Used for passaging cells</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Vimentin antibody</td>
			<td>Abcam</td>
			<td>ab8978</td>
			<td>First antibody for immunofluorescence staining assay</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

isolation, culture, and characterization of primary dermal fibroblasts from human keloid tissue

Fibroblasts, the major cell type in keloid tissue, play an essential role in the formation and development&#160;of keloids. The isolation and culture of primary fibroblasts derived from keloid tissue are the basis for further studies of the biological function and molecular mechanisms of keloids, as well as new therapeutic strategies for treating them. The traditional method of obtaining primary fibroblasts has limitations, such as poor cellular state, mixing with other types of cells, and susceptibility to contamination. This paper describes an optimized and easily reproducible protocol that could reduce the occurrence of possible issues when obtaining fibroblasts. In this protocol, fibroblasts can be observed 5 days after isolation and reach nearly 80% confluency after 10 days of culture. Then, the fibroblasts are passaged and verified using PDGFR&#945; and vimentin antibodies for immunofluorescence assays and CD90 antibodies for flow cytometry. In conclusion, fibroblasts from keloid tissue can be easily acquired through this protocol, which can provide an abundant and stable source of cells in the laboratory for keloid research.

The timeline of the protocol is summarized in Figure 1A. Some representative images of the isolation process are shown in Figure 2; the epidermis and adipose layers were carefully removed, and the dermis layer was separated into small fragments of 3-4 mm2, which were inoculated into the Petri dishes.
As shown in Figure 3A, several fibroblast outgrowths of the tissue pieces were observed und...

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Isolation, Culture, and Characterization of Primary Dermal Fibroblasts from Human Keloid Tissue at JoVE.com

Isolation, Culture, and Characterization of Primary Dermal Fibroblasts from Human Keloid Tissue

This study describes an optimized protocol for establishing primary fibroblasts from keloid tissues that can effectively and steadily provide pure and viable fibroblasts.

Fibroblasts, the major cell type in keloid tissue, play an essential role in the formation and development&#160;of keloids. The isolation and culture of ...

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