Which cells are responsible for overseeing the deposition and remodeling of the extracellular matrix?

The correct answer to the question regarding which cells oversee the deposition and remodeling of the extracellular matrix is fibroblasts. Fibroblasts play a crucial role in synthesizing and maintaining the extracellular matrix, which is vital for tissue structure and repair. They produce collagen and other fibers that provide tensile strength and integrity to the tissue.

Fibroblasts are not only involved in the initial deposition of extracellular matrix components during tissue repair but also in the remodeling process, where they regulate the organization and composition of the matrix over time. This remodeling is essential for restoring the functional properties of the tissue after injury or surgery.

Macrophages do play a role in the inflammatory response and can secrete factors that influence fibroblasts, but they do not directly oversee the deposition and remodeling of the extracellular matrix. Chondrocytes are specific to cartilage and are responsible for producing the matrix in that particular tissue type, while neutrophils are primarily involved in the early immune response to injury or infection and do not play a direct role in matrix remodeling.