Human fibroblast culture on a crosslinked dermal porcine collagen matrix

The use of a novel porcine-derived collagen biomaterial as a dermal tissue engineering matrix was examined. The matrix is derived from porcine dermis, and is processed to retain the native collagen (Type 1) and elastin structure. Human primary fibroblasts were cultured on the matrix to examine its potential for creating a dermal replacement. Attachment of fibroblasts on the collagen was compared to tissue culture plastic and PET membranes. Cell proliferation was assessed using the MTT assay and DAPI staining. For seeding densities of 5×10 4 and 1×10 5 cells cm −2, PET and plastic demonstrated >95% attachment of seeded numbers after 3 h. The collagen matrix reached levels >80% after 3–4 h with no influence of the seeding density. Matrix samples with perforating pores of 40 μm diameter were also studied. After 216 h culture in static culture, with media replacement every 3 days, the final cell numbers reached 2.1×10 5 (perforated) and 2.0×10 5 cells cm −2 (unperforated). In comparison fibroblast culture in a perfusion bioreactor, with continuous media replacement, reached 2.3×10 5 (unperforated) and 2.5×10 5 cells cm −2 (perforated) after 216 h.