Evaluation of collagen scaffold synthetized by enzymatic method and its efficacy for loading neonatal fibroblast cells

Collagen scaffolds are one of the suitable scaffolds for stem cell loading, but the viability of fibroblast cells loaded on collagen scaffolds is one of the important issues. Therefore, the present study investigated the viability of fibroblasts loaded on collagen scaffold.

In this in vitro experimental study, human skin samples were obtained from neonates during circumcision surgery and bovine collagen was prepared. Fibroblast cells were counted using a hemocytometer after isolation from tissue fragments. Cell viability was evaluated using flow cytometry. Vimentin marker were used to identify fibroblast cells. Fibroblast cells were cultured on hydrogels. MTT method was used to evaluate the cytotoxic effect of hydrogels on cells. Data were analyzed using independent t-test.

The viability of fibroblast cells isolated from the foreskin was 89% on the first day after isolation. The results of immunocytochemical examination confirmed the identity of fibroblast cells. MTT results showed that collagen hydrogel had no significant toxicity on loaded fibroblasts. The results of fluorescent microscopy showed that the viability of cells loaded on hydrogel was 96%.

The results of this study showed that collagen scaffolds are suitable for loading fibroblast cells isolated from the foreskin and can be used in tissue engineering and transfer of fibroblast cells to damaged areas.