Isolation and Characterization of Fibroblast from Normal and Thalassemia Foreskin

Thalassemia is a genetic blood disorder impacting hemoglobin production, varies in severity, and requires lifelong treatments. The advancement in somatic cell reprogramming through induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) represents a personalized medicine approach that holds promise as a treatment for individuals with thalassemia. One source that could be reprogrammed into iPSCs can be generated from foreskin fibroblast cells. This study aimed to isolate and characterize human fibroblast cells from normal (NFF) and thalassemia (TFF) foreskin surface markers (CD44, CD90, CD105, CD73), and negative lineage (CD45, CD34, CD11b, CD19, HLA-DR). Fibroblast cells were isolated out of normal and thalassemia foreskin using the explant method. Characterization of NFF and TFF isolates was carried out using flow cytometry to disclose the expression of CD90, CD44, CD73, CD105, and negative lineage. Isolation of fibroblast cells from normal and thalassemia foreskin was successfully carried out using the explant method with NFF and TFF characterized as expressing CD90, CD44, CD105, CD73, and negative lineages (CD45, CD11b, CD34, CD19, and HLA-DR). This result could lead to a continuation of reprogramming into iPSCs. HIGHLIGHTS Isolation of fibroblast cells from normal and thalassemia foreskin was successfully carried out and cultured within 21 days The surface marker (CD44, CD73, CD90, CD105), and negative lineage (CD45, CD34, CD11b, CD19, HLA-DR) showed similarity to MSCs Fibroblast cells from the foreskin of normal and thalassemia patients were detected expressing CD90, CD105, CD73, CD44, and negative lineages (CD34, CD11b, CD45, CD19, HLA-DR) GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT