What are fibroblasts?

Fibroblasts are a type of cell that are found throughout the body in connective tissue, including the skin, tendons, and in the hair follicle niche we cryopreserve at Acorn. They play an important role in the production and maintenance of extracellular matrix (ECM) components such as collagen and elastin, which provide structural support to tissues and help to repair them when they are damaged.

In regenerative medicine, fibroblasts are used in a variety of ways to repair and regenerate damaged tissue. One way they are used is in cell-based therapies, where fibroblasts are harvested from the patient's own body (or from a donor) and then expanded in culture before being transplanted back into the patient to help repair the damaged tissue. For example, fibroblasts can be used to treat skin conditions such as burns, injuries, and age-related wrinkles.

Fibroblasts are also used in the production of tissue engineering scaffolds. These scaffolds are used to support the growth of new tissue and can be used to replace or repair damaged tissue in a variety of applications, such as cartilage and bone repair, wound healing, and regenerative skin treatments.

Fibroblasts can also be used to produce extracellular matrix-based products, such as those which use collagen, hyaluronic acid, and other ECM components. These products can help to support and promote healing in a variety of applications, such as wound healing, nerve repair, and skin rejuvenation.

In addition, fibroblasts can be reprogrammed into other cells, such as induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) and then differentiate into any kind of cells in the body. This can be a powerful technique for regenerative medicine as it allows researchers to create replacement cells and tissue to treat various diseases and injuries.

Overall, fibroblasts are important cells for regenerative medicine because of their ability to produce and maintain ECM, as well as the ability to reprogram into other types of cells. The research on fibroblasts and regenerative medicine still ongoing and many potentials are yet to be discover.