Fibroblasts

Fibroblasts

Fibroblasts are cells that are usually found in connective tissue as part of the extracellular matrix, ECM. These cells synthesise collagen amongst other ECM constituents.¹

The presence of collagen on in the ECM allows interactions between cell-adhesion molecules, CAMs, therefore providing a solid mooring to surfaces thus making them ideal cells to be grown in vivo ²; without such properties normal cells cannot grow and divide, they are said to be anchorage dependent. Cancer cells on the other hand are anchorage independent which means that they can grow without the need to be attached to a surface.²

[1] Lodish H. et al.2008. Molecular Cell Biology. 6th edition. New York.W. H. Freeman and Company Publishing. p396

2] Cassimeris L. et al (ed) .2011. Lewin's Cells. 2nd edition. USA.Jones and Bartlett Publishers. p742