Optimization of skeletal muscle-derived fibroblast isolation and purification without the preplating method

Most embryonic fibroblasts have been widely used as feeder cells to support stem cell cultures, and in the case of human embryonic stem cells, the manipulation with human embryonic stem cells is prohibited in most countries for ethical reasons. However, the importance of tissue origin is increasing because cell surface markers and extracellular matrix proteins are secreted differently depending on the tissue origin of fibroblasts. In particular, as fibroblasts and myoblasts are mixed in skeletal muscle tissue, it is necessary to selectively separate only fibroblasts. The preplating technique was used to isolate fibroblasts from mouse skeletal muscle tissue, and the morphological and functional characteristics were investigated to optimize the efficient purification method of isolated fibroblasts. Cell morphology and doubling time were not notably associated with preplating. The preplating method did not induce significant functional changes, including those in the expression of fibroblast-specific genes (Vim and Fsp1) and myoblast-specific genes (Myod and Myog), until passage number 5. Moreover, skeletal muscle-derived fibroblasts before and after cryopreservation retained the morphological and functional properties until passage 5 after thawing. Based on the comprehensive results, the characteristics of skeletal muscle-derived fibroblasts were maintained up to passage 5 regardless of preplating, and fibroblast-specific properties were maintained even after cryopreservation. In this study, we optimized the isolation and purification methods for skeletal muscle-derived fibroblasts. These methods are expected to be used in various applications for tissue engineering.