Human dermal fibroblasts and adipose stem cells extracellular matrices – differences and similarities

Skin regeneration relies on sequential biological and molecular events, where cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions and signalling are major players. Several studies have been showing that the extracellular matrix (ECM) produced by both human dermal fibroblasts (hDFB) and human adipose stem cells (hASCs) play a role inskin healing [1,2]. Despite this, differences and/or similarities of ECM produced by both cell types are still not clear. Therefore, the goal of this work was to unravel the ECM components of both hDFB and hASCs.

Cells-self ECM from both hDFB and hASCs were obtained after protein extraction using several protocols: freeze-thaw cycles, Triton+NH₄OH and a combination of both; all followed by DNase treatment. Extracted ECM protein profile was obtained by SDS-gel electrophoresis and specific ECM components were assessed by immunocytochemistry. Collagen, glycosaminoglycan and elastin content were quantified using Biocolor kits. SDS-gel revealed a slightly different protein profiles; low molecular weight bands in the 25-10kDa and 35-55kDa regions were more defined and denser in hASCs-derived ECM. Immunocytochemistry results confirmed the presence of the main ECM components in both ECM’s but it seems that fibronectin is secreted in higher amounts by hASCs, also reinforced by quantification of ECM components. These results showed that hDFB and hASCs ECM’s major structural components are comparable, the encountered differences might have a specific role in skin regeneration.

Acknowledgements: This research was supported by ERC Consolidator Grant ECM_INK (ERC-2016-COG-726061), project Dressing4Scars (ERA-NET/CSA/JPI/M-ERANET) and the European Union for The Discoveries Centre for Regenerative and Precision Medicine (H2020-WIDESPREAD-2014-1-739572).

1.Cerqueira,M.T.,et al.,Acta Biomater,2014.10(7):p.3145-55.

2.Cerqueira,M.T.,et al.,Biomacromolecules,2013.14(11):p.3997-4008.