Fibroblasts are mesenchymal cells derived from the embryonic mesoderm. They have been extensively used for a wide range of cellular and molecular studies as they are one of easiest types of cells to grow in culture. Their durability also makes them amenable to a variety of manipulations ranging from studies employing gene transfection to microinjection. Fibroblasts secrete a non-rigid extracellular matrix which is rich in type I and/or type III collagen. Dermal fibroblasts are located in the dermis layer and generate extracellular matrix. Dermal fibroblasts have the ability to switch from a proliferative, migratory phase to a contractile, matrix-remodeling phase during wound healing. In addition, they secrete large quantities of hyaluronan in response to inflammatory stimuli. Rabbit dermal fibroblasts (RabDF) are a useful in vitro model to study wound healing and dermal fibrosis. RabDF from ScienCell Research Laboratories are isolated from rabbit skin. RabDF are cryopreserved at passage one and delivered frozen. Each vial contains >5 x 105 cells in 1 ml volume. RabDF are characterized by immunofluorescence with antibody specific to fibronectin. RabDF are negative for mycoplasma, bacteria, yeast, and fungi. RabDF are guaranteed to further expand for 15 population doublings under the conditions provided by ScienCell Research Laboratories. Recommended Medium It is recommended to use Fibroblast Medium (FM, Cat. #2301) for culturing RabDF in vitro.