Rat Dermal Fibroblasts-Neonatal (RDF-n)

Overview

Rat Dermal Fibroblasts-Neonatal (RDF-n) is a cell model used for research applications where physiologically relevant identity and donor background support interpretation of experimental readouts. Rat Fibroblasts derived from Skin (Dermal) within the Integumentary system.

Fibroblasts are mesenchymal cells derived from the embryonic mesoderm. They have been extensively used for a wide range of cellular and molecular studies as they are one of easiest types of cells to grow in culture. Their durability also makes them amenable to a variety of manipulations ranging from studies employing gene transfection to microinjection. In general, fibroblasts secrete a non-rigid extracellular matrix which is rich in type I and/or type III collagen [1]. There is evidence showing that fibroblasts in different organs are intrinsically different [2]. Dermal fibroblasts switch from a proliferative, migratory phase to a contractile, matrix-remodeling phase during wound healing. In addition, they secrete large quantities of hyaluronan in response to inflammatory stimuli [3]. iXCells Biotechnologies provides high quality Rat Dermal Fibroblasts-Neonatal (RDF-n), which are isolated from neonatal rat skin and cryopreserved at P1, with >0.5 million cells in each vial. RDF-n express fibronectin and are negative for HIV-1, HBV, HCV, mycoplasma, bacteria, yeast, and fungi. They can further expand for 5 population doublings in Fibroblast Growth Medium (Cat# MD-0011) under the condition suggested by iXCells Biotechnologies.

Key elements and design rationale

• Cell identity: Fibroblasts (Primary Cells)
• Source context: Skin; Dermal; Integumentary
• Donor background: Age: Neonatal, Embryonic
• Biosafety level: BSL-1 (follow your institution’s biosafety program and local regulations)

Product-specific elements (such as tissue source, donor background, and cell classification) help frame how results should be interpreted across assays and experimental conditions.

Biological background

Fibroblasts are key stromal cells that produce and remodel extracellular matrix, coordinate wound repair, and shape tissue microenvironments through paracrine signaling.

Across primary and specialty cell models, experimental outcomes can be influenced by donor heterogeneity, passage history, confluence, and media composition. For interpretation, it is common to validate key markers or functional phenotypes in the user’s assay context and to document culture variables consistently.

Research relevance and current trends

• Increasing use of primary and specialty cells to improve translational relevance for target biology and phenotypic screening.
• Adoption of 3D culture formats and co-culture systems to better capture tissue microenvironments and cell–cell interactions.
• Integration of functional readouts with single-cell and multi-omics profiling to connect phenotype with molecular state.

Common research applications

• Profile identity markers by flow cytometry or immunostaining in cultured cells
• Quantify functional responses to defined stimuli relevant to the model system
• Compare baseline phenotype across donors/conditions using gene expression profiling
• Model wound-healing–relevant signaling and extracellular matrix interactions
• Screen compounds or genetic perturbations for phenotype modulation using viability or imaging endpoints

Interpretation typically focuses on how a perturbation (e.g., cytokine exposure, metabolic stress, genetic manipulation, or compound treatment) shifts marker profiles or functional readouts relative to an appropriate control matched for donor and culture variables.

Notes for experimental interpretation

• Donor-to-donor heterogeneity can influence baseline phenotype and treatment response; include biological replicates when feasible.
• Passage number, confluence, and media composition can shift gene expression and functional readouts; track and report these variables consistently.
• Contamination control (including routine mycoplasma monitoring) supports reproducibility in downstream assays.
• Use appropriate negative/positive controls for the readout (e.g., unstimulated controls, pathway agonists/antagonists) to contextualize observed changes.

SKU:BHC18500108

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