Effects of serum, fibroblast growth factor, and platelet-derived growth factor on explants of rat tail tendon: a morphological study.
Eighteen tail tendon fascicles were explanted from a 40-day postpartum rat and maintained in both serum-supplemented and serum-free Eagle's minimal essential medium for 2 weeks. Epitendon and paratendon connective tissues were excluded from these explants. Tendon fibroblasts maintained in serum-supplemented medium proliferated and synthesized collagen. Tendon fibroblasts explanted in serum-free medium remained viable but did not proliferate. Fibroblast growth factor and platelet-derived growth factor were shown to stimulate proliferation of mature tendon fibroblasts in serum-free medium.
D000818:Animals; D002455:Cell Division / Q000187:drug effects; D003094:Collagen / Q000096:biosynthesis; D003470:Culture Media; D046508:Culture Techniques; D005346:Fibroblast Growth Factors / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008297:Male; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D010982:Platelet-Derived Growth Factor / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051381:Rats; D013710:Tendons / Q000166:cytology*
D003470:Culture Media; D010982:Platelet-Derived Growth Factor; D005346:Fibroblast Growth Factors; D003094:Collagen