Growth of primary dermal fibroblasts in the Mimetix scaffold

In vitro skin models are in high demand for investigating the potential toxicity of cosmetics and transdermal therapeutic applications. The study presented below takes a step in this direction by enabling a co-culture of the two major human skin cell types.

Primary dermal fibroblasts were cultured on our randomly orientated fibre scaffold and images were taken after 24 hours and 7 days. After 7 days in culture, cells had proliferated extensively to fill the pores within the scaffold.

Primary dermal fibroblasts growing in the Mimetix scaffold at 24 h and 7 days after seeding.

Primary dermal fibroblast migration was studied by taking a cross-section of the scaffold, showing that cells had migrated through the loose fibrous network to form a 3D structure. Cells were stained with DAPI to indicate the nuclei.

Cross-section of our Mimetix scaffold seeded with human primary dermal fibroblasts.

Co-culture of keratinocytes and human dermal fibroblasts

An in vitro model of skin was produced by culturing primary keratinocytes alongside primary dermal fibroblasts in the Mimetix scaffold, indicating that non-woven electrospun scaffolds are a suitable substrate for co-cultures of primary cells.

Co-culture of primary keratinocytes and primary dermal fibroblasts in the Mimetix scaffold after 24 h (fibroblasts in the background, keratinocytes in the foreground).

Images: Courtesy of Dr Anthony J. Bullock, University of Sheffield