Tonsil Fibroblasts (TF)

Tonsils are collections of lymphoid tissue facing into the aerodigestive tract. The set of lymphatic tissue known as Waldeyer's tonsillar ring includes the adenoid tonsil, two tubal tonsils, two palatine tonsils, and the lingual tonsil.

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 the easiest types of cells to grow in culture. Their durability also makes them amenable to a wide variety of manipulations ranging from studies employing gene transfection to microinjection. Fibroblasts are the most common cells of connective tissue in animals. Fibroblasts in various parts of the body are intrinsically different. Fibroblasts secrete a non-rigid extracellular matrix that is rich in type I and/or type III collagen. They are responsible for much of the synthesis of extracellular matrix in connective tissues and play major roles in wound healing.