Cell Specification
The fibroblast is the cellular element responsible for fibrosis. Conjunctival fibroblasts, as other fibroblasts, act not only as structural cells in the production of the matrix components, but also are also actively involved as effectors in allergic conjunctivitis [1]. Conjunctival fibroblasts cultured with histamine induce the production of proinflammatory cytokines, such as IL-1, IL-6 and IL-8 [2]. Conjunctival fibroblast culture can serve as a useful in vitro model for rapid screening of drugs for their effect on fibroblast morphology, motility, and proliferation, and provide a basis for the development of new treatments for a variety of ocular proliferative disorders.

HConF from ScienCell Research Laboratories are isolated from human conjunctiva. HConF are cryopreserved at primary culture and delivered frozen. Each vial contains >5 x 10⁵ cells in 1 ml volume. HConF are characterized by their spindle morphology and immunofluorescent method with antibody to fibronectin. HConF are negative for HIV-1, HBV, HCV, mycoplasma, bacteria, yeast and fungi. HConF are guaranteed to further expand for 15 population doublings at the conditions provided by ScienCell Research Laboratories.

Recommended Medium
It is recommended to use Fibroblast Medium (FM, Cat. No. 2301) for the culturing of HConF in vitro.

Product Use
HConF are for research use only. It is not approved for human or animal use, or for application in in vitro diagnostic procedures.

Storage
Directly and immediately transfer cells from dry ice to liquid nitrogen upon receiving and keep the cells in liquid nitrogen until cell culture needed for experiments.

Shipping
Dry ice.

Reference
[1] Asano-Kato, N., Fukagawa, K., Okada, N., Dogru, M., Tsubota, K., Fujishima, H. (2005) Tryptase increases proliferative activity of human conjunctival fibroblasts through protease-activated receptor-2. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 46(12):4622-6.
[2] Solomon, A., Puxeddu, I., Levi-Schaffer, F.(2003) Fibrosis in ocular allergic inflammation: recent concepts in the pathogenesis of ocular allergy. Curr Opin Allergy Clin Immunol 3(5):389-393.