Extracellular matrix-derived matrikines as emerging modulators of neuroinflammation and central nervous system signaling.

This review identifies matrikines—bioactive peptide fragments derived from extracellular matrix proteins—as a distinct class of neuroimmune modulators with therapeutic potential in neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration. GHK, a collagen-derived matrikine, is highlighted as a CNS-relevant compound that modulates microglial and astrocytic function, enhances neuronal survival, and may cross a compromised blood-brain barrier. The authors emphasize that matrikines represent an emerging therapeutic avenue complementary to classical immune mediators, but call for urgent human tissue studies to establish translational relevance and clinical utility.

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