Fibroblasts were the first adherent cell types to be successfully cultured in vitro. In mixed primary cultures fibroblast-like cells typically overgrow other adherent cell types. Fibroblast cells were frequently developed as host cells for the production of therapeutically useful viruses. Even today these cells are widely used for this purpose.
Many classical media (see web-pages in our "Classical Media" section) were developed and used to culture fibroblasts. Some examples of these are; CMRC 1066,GMEM,Ham's F-10, L-15, and Medium 199. These media all required the addition of serum. In the 70s and 80s, Richard Ham and his colleagues developed MCDB 104, MCDB 105 and MCDB 110 as low protein serum-free media for growing fibroblast-like cells such as WI-38, MRC-5 and IMR-90 cells. These media were actually supplemented with dialyzed FBS, which was referred to as fetal bovine serum protein (FBSP).
In addition to all of the "classical media" referenced above, Sigma offers the fibroblast growth kit, FMK-2 which is composed of basal medium F 9790 and medium supplement F 9915. This is the most advanced medium formulation for fibroblast cell culture that we offer. Once formulated, the complete medium contains a very small amount of FBS.
Proprietary formulation, modified version of MCDB 105
Contains essential and non-essential amino acids, vitamins, trace minerals, organic and inorganic salts.
Without antibiotics, antimycotics, hormones, growth factors, or proteins.
Buffered with HEPES and sodium bicarbonate
Sterile filtered
Endotoxin tested
Cell culture tested.
This basal medium is a component of our Fibroblast Proliferation Medium Kit (FMK-2). It is designed to be used in conjunction with Fibroblast Medium Supplement (F 9915), and it is not sold separately.
The FMK-2 kit provides a complete medium for the proliferation of epidermal fibroblasts for research purposes.
The serum free culture of fibroblast cells is supported by a series of products offered by Sigma. The table below provides a partial list of Sigma products recommended for this purpose. Also, see the "Fibroblast Cell Culture Media" table above. This table may also be found by using the hyperlink at the top of this page.
Contains fetal bovine serum (2%), human recombinant bFGF heparin, human recombinant EGF, and hydrocortisone
Sterile filtered
Endotoxin tested
Cell culture tested
This supplement is a component of our Fibroblast Proliferation Medium Kit (FMK-2). It is designed to be used in conjunction with Fibroblast Basal Medium (E 9790), and it is not sold separately.
The FMK-2 kit provides a complete medium for the proliferation of epidermal fibroblasts for research purposes.
Use to inhibit the proteolytic action of Trypsin-EDTA (T 4299) after epithelial cells are released from a substrate or disaggregated.
Chemically defined and free of animal derived components. The absence of animal derived components reduces the potential for contamination of cryopreserved cells with adventitious biological agents such as viruses.
Sigma is proud to offer a selection of media, many of which are serum-free, for the in vitro culture of human primary cells, such as keratinocytes, corneal epithelial cells, endothelial cells, fibroblasts, melanocytes and epithelial hepatocytes. These primary cell types have potential commercial value in a wide range of emerging technologies and therapeutic applications. Among these are: tissue engineering applications, such as would healing and burn treatment; high throughput screening for drug toxicology and efficacy studies; gene therapy; pseudo-organs (e.g.. artificial liver) and as model cell systems for developing new therapeutic approaches to human diseases.
