Extracellular Matrix and Cellular Plasticity in Musculoskeletal Development.

Cellular plasticity refers to the ability of cell fates to be reprogrammed given the proper signals, allowing for dedifferentiation or transdifferentiation into different cell fates. , this can be induced through direct activation of gene expression, however this process does not naturally occur . Instead, the microenvironment consisting of the extracellular matrix (ECM) and signaling factors, directs the signals presented to cells.