The Isolation, Culture, and Cryopreservation of Human Rectus Sheath Fibroblasts

The vast majority of pelvic and intra-abdominal surgery is undertaken through at least one incision, through either the linea alba or the rectus sheath. These connective tissue layers are formed from the aponeuroses of the rectus muscles (anterior and posterior rectus sheath) and are vital for the structural integrity of the abdominal wall. Poor healing of these connective tissues after surgery can lead to significant morbidity for patients, who can develop unsightly and painful incisional hernias. Fibroblasts within the rectus sheath are responsible for laying down and remodeling collagen during the healing process after surgery. Despite their importance for this healing process, such cells have not been studied in vitro. In order to carry out such work, researchers must first be able to isolate these cells from human tissue and culture them successfully so they may be used for experimentation. This article provides an extensive and detailed protocol for the isolation, culture, cryopreservation, and thawing of human rectus sheath fibroblasts (RSFs). In our hands, this protocol develops confluent cultures of primary fibroblasts within 2 weeks, and sufficient cultures ready for freezing and storage after a further 2 to 4 weeks. © 2023 The Authors. Current Protocols published by Wiley Periodicals LLC. Basic Protocol: Collagenase digestion of human rectus sheath and isolation of RSFs Alternate Protocol: Collagenase digestion of human rectus sheath and isolation of RSFs, digestion in flask Support Protocol: Cryopreservation and thawing of human RSFs.