The effect of temperature on the morphology of fibroblasts in a collagen gel in nutrient-free medium

The effect of temperature on the morphology of fibroblasts in a collagen gel (living dermal model (Toyobo, Japan)) was investigated to find an efficient way to delay the occurrence of pressure ulcers in malnourished patients. Cells were observed microscopically after culture for 0, 3, and 6 h at 37 or 25degC in Dulbeccopsilas phosphate-buffered saline (DPBS) in an incubator under 5% CO₂/95% air and 100% humidity. We measured the aspect ratio of cells located 10 mum below the gel surface after 0, 3, and 6 h under each condition. The meanplusmnSD aspect ratio was 16.9plusmn5.1 and 7.1plusmn4.0 (n = 16) at 0 and 6 h, respectively, for cells incubated at 37degC and 13.8plusmn4.1 and 14.5plusmn6.1 (n = 16) at 0 and 6 h, for cells incubated at 25degC. This indicates that cell viability can be maintained by lowering the temperature when the supply of nutrients is limited.