Fibroblast
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A fibroblast is a cell that makes the structural fibers and ground substance of connective tissue.
Description
Fibroblasts have a branched cytoplasm surrounding an elliptical, speckled nucleus having 1 or 2 nucleoli. Active fibroblasts can be recognized by their abundant rough endoplasmic reticulum. Inactive fibroblasts, which are also called fibrocytes, are smaller and spindle shaped. They have a reduced rough endoplasmic reticulum.
Fibroblasts make collagens, glycosaminoglycans, reticular and elastic fibers, and glycoproteins found in the extracellular matrix. In growing individuals fibroblasts are dividing and synthesizing ground substance. Tissue damage stimulates fibrocytes and induces the mitosis of fibroblasts.
Secondary actions
Fibroblasts can give rise to other cells, such as bone cells, fat cells, and smooth muscle cells. Note that all of these cells are of mesodermal origin.
The fact that fibroblasts easily proliferate makes them a popular cell type for cell cultures in biological research.
Notably, mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) are often used as "feeder cells" in human embryonic stem cell research. However, many researchers are gradually phasing out MEF's in favor of culture media with precisely defined ingredients of exclusively human derivation. Further, the difficulty of exclusively human derivation for media supplements is most often solved by the use of "defined media" where the supplements are synthetic and achieve the primary goal of eliminating the chance of contamination from derivative sources.
See also
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