The most abundant cell type in the bronchus is fibroblasts. They resemble a mesenchymal stem cell phenotype and their principle function is the production of type III collagen, elastin, and proteoglycans of the extracellular matrix. Bronchial fibroblasts play an important role in the repair and remodeling processes following injury. The controlled accumulation of fibroblasts to sites of inflammation is crucial for effective tissue repair after injury. Either inadequate or excessive accumulation of fibroblasts can result in abnormal tissue function. For example, the excess fibroblast proliferation and collagen secretion that occurs from bronchial subepithelial fibrosis can result in airway obstruction and bronchial hyper-responsiveness.
HBF are isolated from human bronchus tissue. HBF are cryopreserved at secondary culture (P1) and delivered frozen. Each vial contains >5 x 10^5 cells in 1 ml volume. HBF are characterized by immunofluorescent method with antibody to fibronectin. HBF are negative for HIV-1, HBV, HCV, mycoplasma, bacteria, yeast and fungi. HBF are guaranteed to further expand for 15 population doublings at the condition provided by Creative Bioarray.