Collagen I-Derived Extracellular Matrix Motifs Alter Fibroblast Regenerative Response

Fibroblasts in vitro recognize mECMs, with significant differences observed based on the presentation of these proteins. These data indicate that cryptic regions that are recognized by fibroblasts may be exposed in the mobile version of the mECMs, which lead to a myofibroblast-like phenotype in fibroblasts. This work highlights the potential of DAMPs to serve as immunomodulatory therapeutics for tissue regeneration.