Growth of keloid-producing fibroblasts in commercially available serum-free media

The purpose of this study was to update our in vitro serum-free keloid fibr oblast (KF) model by use of commercially available media. Prior evaluations of fibroblast characteristics in vitro, especially that of growth factor m easurement, have been confounded by the presence of serum-containing media. KFs were obtained from patients undergoing facial keloid removal. The 4 co mmercially available serum-free media evaluated were AIM-V (Gibco, Grand Is land, NY), Fibroblast Growth Medium (FGM; Clonetics, San Diego, CA), HE GRO (Irvine Scientific, Santa Ana, CA), and UltraCULTURE (BioWhittaker Inc, Wa lkersville, MD). The main outcome measures were sustained KF growth and via bility as compared with serum-based models. The KFs in UltraCULTURE had a h igher viability bur did not grow as well as in FGM. The KFs in HE GRO and A IM-V demonstrated significantly decreased viability Because of FGM's satisf actory proliferative support and viability comparable with serum-based medi um, it is recommended for the in vitro propagation of keloid-producing fibr oblasts.