FIGURE 2.

Extracellular matrix (ECM) architecture and remodelling. Cells reside in a fibrous network of collagens (blue) to which they bind, as well as to fibronectin (brown) that also binds to collagen. During maintenance and remodelling, 1) connective tissue cells secrete proteases (dark yellow “pacmans”) that degrade the collagen network (blue). 2) Next, these cells deposit new ECM components such as collagens (green), and 3) in this way the architecture is maintained and forces (purple double-headed arrows) are transmitted to the embedded cells. Figure partially created using BioRender.com.